MILWAUKEE — A crucial homer by Andrew Vaughn in the fourth inning, complemented by long balls from William Contreras and Brice Turang, propelled the Milwaukee Brewers past the Chicago Cubs with a 3-1 victory in the decisive Game 5 of their National League Division Series on Saturday, overcoming their recent playoff struggles.
The Brewers, appearing in their seventh playoff run over the past eight seasons, secured their initial postseason series triumph since their sweep of Colorado in the 2018 NLDS. That year, the Brewers approached their second World Series appearance in franchise history, only to succumb in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Now, they are set for another NLCS clash with the Dodgers, who conquered the Philadelphia Phillies in four games during their NL Division Series. Game 1 is scheduled for Monday in Milwaukee, where they achieved a 6-0 record against L.A. this season. The Dodgers began as minus-210 favorites to clinch the series at ESPN BET Sportsbook.
“Many doubted them early on, but they persisted with unwavering resolve,” stated Brewers manager Pat Murphy following Game 5.
Following the departure of star shortstop Willy Adames in free agency and the trade of All-Star closer Devin Williams last winter, the determined Brewers concluded the regular season with a major-league-best 97-65 record.
It was perhaps unsurprising that NL Central champion Milwaukee emerged victorious with a collective pitching effort in the final game against wild-card Chicago. Trevor Megill, Jacob Misiorowski, Aaron Ashby, Chad Patrick, and Abner Uribe collaborated to limit the Cubs to four hits, with Uribe recording six outs for his inaugural multi-inning save.
“They might be seen as ordinary, but in my view, they’re far from average,” Murphy commented.
The triumph held particular significance for Milwaukee fans, as it occurred against their primary rival and ousted Cubs manager Craig Counsell from the postseason.
Counsell was raised in the Milwaukee area, played for the Brewers, and achieved the most managerial wins in team history before his move to Chicago.
Since Counsell’s departure two seasons ago, Brewers fans have expressed their disapproval with boos whenever his name is mentioned during Cubs visits to American Family Field. This continued on Saturday, although the sold-out crowd seemed to include more Cubs supporters than in Milwaukee’s Game 1 and Game 2 home victories.
“I’m genuinely thrilled for them,” stated veteran Brewers star Christian Yelich, referring to Milwaukee fans. “They’ve stood by us through challenging defeats over the years. I recognize the weight of this series for them, particularly given the rivalry, and I’m pleased we could deliver for them, as they truly deserve it.”
The Cubs forced a Game 5 by securing consecutive wins at Wrigley Field. They aimed to become the 11th team to overcome a 2-0 deficit and win a best-of-five playoff series, a feat last accomplished by the New York Yankees against Cleveland in their 2017 ALDS.
“I’m disappointed, I’m saddened,” Counsell expressed. “I believe this team has done much to honor the Chicago Cub uniform. Broadly speaking, that’s my overall sentiment.”
All runs in this decisive game resulted from home runs, with each of Milwaukee’s occurring with two outs.
Contreras launched a 389-foot shot to left-center off Drew Pomeranz in the first inning. Vaughn then broke a 1-1 tie by sending a 3-2 pitch from Colin Rea over the left-field wall, and Turang added insurance with a 416-foot blast to center off Andrew Kittredge in the seventh.
“We respond. That’s our mindset. We respond,” Vaughn stated. “We’re going to strike back at our opponents. We’re going to retaliate.”
Chicago’s Seiya Suzuki welcomed Misiorowski by launching a 101.4 mph fastball into the Cubs’ bullpen to lead off the second inning, but that was the only run the rookie right-hander allowed in four innings. Misiorowski recorded three strikeouts while allowing three hits and no walks to secure his second win of the series.
He pitched three innings of scoreless relief in Milwaukee’s 7-3 victory in Game 2.
“It’s been surreal,” the 23-year-old Misiorowski shared. “It’s been a whirlwind, and it’s been enjoyable.”
The Brewers inserted Misiorowski into the game in the second inning after Megill started and retired the side in order in the first. The Cubs had amassed 11 first-inning runs in the first four games of the series, avoiding a scoreless opening frame.
Following Suzuki’s home run, the Cubs failed to score again.
Chicago’s most promising threat occurred when they placed two runners on base with no outs in the sixth against Ashby, who had thrown 32 pitches two nights earlier in Milwaukee’s 6-0 Game 4 loss. Michael Busch led off with a single before Ashby hit Nico Hoerner with a pitch.
Ashby then struck out Kyle Tucker on a 3-2 pitch for the first out. Patrick then relieved Ashby and retired Suzuki on a fly to left before Ian Happ struck out looking.
“We fell short today, and that stings,” Counsell said. “While it’s disappointing, when you take a step back, we also accomplished positive things.”
The Associated Press assisted with this report.
