Suter saves the day: Home run deciding factor in 3-2 Brewers win

WP: Brent Suter (2-2)
LP: Corey Kluber (5-2)
SV: Josh Hader (5)

Box Score

Wade Miley was out of the game after 19 pitches and one out. Brent Suter came in for what was basically an emergency start. Meanwhile, Cy Young pitcher Corey Kluber was starting on the other side. It didn’t look good for the Brewers tonight.

Of course, that’s why baseball games are played.

First, for the bad part of the game. On his fourth batter of the night, Wade Miley grabbed his side after his 19th pitch. He had to come out of the game, and initial report was an oblique strain. That forced Brent Suter into action, coming in for a long relief outing to at least save the bullpen. He ended up doing much more than that.

After working out of a jam in the first inning, the Brewers offense came out to back Brent Suter. Christian Yelich hit a single to get on base, and Travis Shaw brought him in with a home run to make it a 2-0 game. That gave Brent Suter some breathing room as he worked in relief.

Suter got into a jam in the second inning, allowing two singles to put runners at first and second with one out. Pitcher Corey Kluber was up next, and he was going for the sacrifice bunt to move the runners over. However, his bunt was a bit high, and Brent Suter took advantage, diving to catch the ball for an out and then throwing to second for the double play.

In the third, Suter did give up a home run on a solo shot to Jose Ramirez. However, he made up for it in the bottom of the third. Facing Corey Kluber, Brent Suter hit the first pitch he saw out of the park for his first career home run. It wasn’t a cheap shot, either. It was a no-doubt home run, measured at 433 feet as it left the park.

Suter would pitch through the fifth to finish his day, allowing just one more run on a home run by Francisco Lindor. Overall, Suter allowed two runs on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts. While the pitching line wasn’t the best, he had done more than enough to put the Brewers ahead.

The Brewers bullpen took over from here, and as they have been several times this season, they were unhittable. Jeremy Jeffress started off with 1 ¹⁄₃ innings, striking out two of the four batters he saw. Dan Jennings followed, facing two batters and getting outs from them both. Josh Hader finished off the game, pitching two innings and getting outs to all six batters, striking out three of them.

On offense, Corey Kluber kept the Brewers in check for the most part. Christian Yelich did have a 3-for-4 day, but the remainder of the offense combined for just three hits. However, the Brewers made the most of those hits, getting three runs for just enough offense to get the win.

One more injury note from the game. Nick Franklin, fresh on the roster after being added this afternoon, also left the game early tonight with a quad strain. He is likely heading to the DL with Wade Miley, and Corey Knebel should return tomorrow. However, with an early game tomorrow, the Brewers may have to play a man down.

There’s not much time to rest tonight. The second game of this series and final game of the homestand is tomorrow afternoon. Junior Guerra will get the start against Carlos Carrasco. First pitch is at 12:10 pm.