Brewers’ Three Home Run Outburst Leaves Them a Win Away from the Pennant
The Milwaukee Brewers came from behind with a three-run sixth inning and went on to
defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6 to 2 and take a 3-0 NLCS lead.
Tonight’s game literally started with a bang. Jackson Chourio led off the top of the first by
hitting the first pitch he saw over the center field fence. 1-0 Brewers.
And that was all the scoring until the bottom of the sixth.
Robert Gasser started the game for the Brewers. He pitched five innings of shutout
baseball giving up three hits while striking out three Dodgers.
Milwaukee went to the bullpen in the top of the sixth. Abner Uribe promptly walked the
bases loaded. With one out, Uribe gave up a two-run double to Will Smith scoring Teoscar
Hernandez and Kyle Tucker. Uribe lasted only a third of an inning and was replaced by DL
Hall who came in and prevented any further damage.
Blake Snell started for the Dodgers this evening and was cruising along after that lead-off
homer by Chourio. He had given up only a single to Cooper Pratt in the top of the second.
But then it all came crashing down hard in the top of the seventh. Andrew Vaughn started
the inning with a base on balls. Jake Bauers then smacked a two-run homer to right field
scoring pinch-runner Christian Yelich. Garrett Mitchell followed with another blast to right
field. And that was it for Snell. 4-2 Milwaukee.
Snell had not given up a home run through the entire regular season or the playoffs until
tonight.
The Brewers added on an insurance run in the top of the eight. With one out Brice Turang
ran out an infield single. William Contreras followed with another single, sending Turang to
third base. Turang later scored on a wild pitch. 5-2 Brew Crew.
Milwaukee wasn’t quite done. In the top of the ninth Cooper Pratt singled to right field. He
then stole second base and later scored on Joey Ortiz’ single to left field. 6-2 Brewers.
And that’s the way it ended. What a game it was. Snell had the cruise-control on and was
just floating along until that disastrous top of the seventh.DL Hall ended up with the victory for Milwaukee. He broke the Brewers franchise record for the most career playoff wins by a pitcher. Congrats, DL.
I can’t wait for tomorrow’s game. Starting time is 8:00 ET.
Dave’s Dime…Stephen Strasburg
We Nationals’ fans certainly remember the outstanding performance of Stephen Strasburg
in the 2019 World Series, winning the MVP award for his efforts. Strasburg went 2-0 during
that series with an ERA of 2.51.
Strasburg finished the post-season with a 5-0 record and a 1.98 ERA. He became the first
pitcher in MLB history to end the post-season with such a win-loss record.
Strasburg played for the Nationals from 2010 until his retirement in 2022. In 2020 Strasburg
only pitched in two games. He spent the rest of the Covid-shortened season on the injured
list.
In 2021 Stephen pitched in a total of five games. In July he underwent surgery for thoracic
outlet syndrome, which ended his season. I was going to find out what thoracic outlet
syndrome is but was afraid to do so.
In 2022 Strasburg made one start before returning to the injured list with a stress reaction in
the ribs.
Strasburg did not report for spring training in 2023 and later had a rib and two neck muscles
removed in an attempt to alleviate some of his symptoms. That’s dedication. He didn’t
pitch at all that season and officially retired in April of 2024.
The reason I’m bringing this up is because of the contract he signed after his World Series
MVP performance in 2019.
In December of that year, Strasburg signed a 7-year $245 million contract extension. His
annual salary from 2020 through 2026 was and still is $35 million per year. The last three
years of his massive contract were deferred. He’ll make about $11.5 million from 2027
through 2029, with an added interest payment in late 2029.
I really don’t know what to say when I read something like this. I’m not blaming Strasburg
and I’m not really blaming the Nationals. Coming off a high after winning the World Series
and sensing a possible dynasty in the making, I guess that’s just what teams do.
It’s just…I don’t really know what it is. But to think Stephen made $35 million this year and
probably didn’t even pick up a baseball is mind-blowing. I’m hoping he’s donated some of that money to worthwhile causes, but who am I to judge?
The most I ever made in a year of teaching high school was probably $80,000. But I will
never purposely speak ill of someone who signs a contract like his. He didn’t intend to get
hurt; it just happened. And that’s the contract he was offered. No one in his right mind
would turn that down.
I just thought I’d bring that up. I’m positive he’s not the only former player still being paid
exorbitant amounts of money while not playing.
I guess I’m just feeling really down today because my latest Mega Millions ticket didn’t even
match one number. Sour grapes, I think they call it.
