MLB Wild Card Matchup 2 Recap: Brewers Secure Game 3 with Tigers, Padres, and Royals also Advancing
Today, three teams advanced to the Division Series (DS), while one series will require Game 3 due to a thrilling comeback. Here are the key highlights from yesterday's action:
Brewers Pull Off a Last-Minute Victory, Forcing Game 3
The New York Mets experienced a twist of fate as the Milwaukee Brewers staged a come-from-behind victory, necessitating a decisive Game 3 in the NL Wild Card Series.
Trailing 3-2 entering the eighth inning, the Brewers were on the brink of seasonal closure, with only six outs remaining. However, a game-tying home run from rookie sensation Jackson Chourio and a two-run homer from Garrett Mitchell transformed the tide and resulted in a 5-3 triumph for Milwaukee.
This marked the first time in the franchise's history that the Brewers had recovered from being down at the start of the eighth inning in a postseason game. Over their previous 26 similar situations, they had suffered 26 defeats.
Chourio's long-ball was his second of the game, following his first-inning tie-up blast against the Mets. The 20-year-old became only the second player in Major League history to hit two game-tying home runs in a single postseason game, achieving a feat previously accomplished by none other than Babe Ruth in Game 4 of the 1928 World Series.
Chourio also immortalized his name in the postseason records, becoming the fifth-youngest hitter to hit a home run in the postseason, surpassing Miguel Cabrera, Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, and Andruw Jones.
“I'm still feeling the adrenaline,” said Chourio, courtesy of translator Daniel de Mondesert, according to MLB.com. “It was a very special moment for me, and it's one I'll remember for the rest of my life.”
The game-tying rally in the first inning was initiated by Brandon Nimmo's RBI single, but the Mets regained the lead in the second inning with a single from Francisco Álvarez and a sacrifice fly from Francisco Lindor. Blake Perkins' sac fly later in the fifth narrowed the deficit, setting the stage for Chourio and Mitchell's heroics in the eighth.
Inevitably, Chourio punctuated the victory by recording the final out, catching a fly ball from Jesse Winker. Game 3 will take place on Thursday evening at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Astros' Unfortunate Eighth Inning Puts an End to ALCS Streak
The Houston Astros experienced their own disastrous eighth inning, succumbing 5-2 to the Detroit Tigers and missing out on the AL Championship Series for the first time in eight years.
Andy Ibáñez's three-RBI double proved to be the deciding factor in the series.
The 2022 World Series champions have now lost all of their last seven postseason games at home.
“When we get to the playoffs, you’re thinking long-term, you’re thinking winning,” Astros second baseman Jose Altuve said, per MLB.com. “We couldn’t win a game against the Tigers. We’re heartbroken right now. We’ve just got to move on.”
Detroit's advancement to the ALDS marks their first appearance since 2014, and they hope that their recent momentum will propel them towards an unlikely fifth World Series title.
“I don’t know who,” manager AJ Hinch told his team, according to MLB.com. “But somebody let the Tigers get hot.”
The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning, with Parker Meadows sending a solo home run off the right-field foul pole to put the Tigers in front. Houston had the opportunity to capitalize on a bases-loaded situation in the sixth innings but fell short.
Detroit managed to tie the game in the seventh through a wild pitch that allowed Kerry Carpenter to score, and they eventually clinched victory with a three-RBI double from Andy Ibáñez. The Astros could not respond, bringing their postseason misery to a close.
San Diego Padres secure a place in the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers for the third time in five years
San Diego Padres secured their place in the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers following their 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves in a thrilling series finale.
The Padres exploded for five runs in the second inning, a feat that had never been achieved before in MLB postseason history, with two outs and the entire lineup hitting for a cycle. This impressive display began with a solo home run from Kyle Higashioka, followed by a two-RBI double from Manny Machado and a two-RBI triple from Jackson Merrill.
“It happened so fast, it’s kind of blurry,” Higashioka said, according to MLB.com. “A lot of adrenaline.”
The Padres will now face the Dodgers in the NLDS, a challenge they are relishing, as they strive for their first Division Series victory since 1998.
"Two outs, no bases occupied – we're rather proficient at that," stated Royals manager Mike Shildt, as reported by MLB.com. "It's a major aspect of our team's persona, the mindset of, 'We're gonna fight no matter the circumstances.' Nobody on base, we'll figure it out, get the motion going."
Meanwhile, Bobby Witt Jr. brought home the decisive run for the second straight game, helping Kansas City Royals secure a 2-1 victory over Baltimore Orioles.
In another nail-biting encounter, Witt's infield single in the top of the sixth inning was all that was required to clinch a series in which just four runs were scored.
"That's the exciting part of this sport," shared Witt, according to MLB.com. "This is why we play, for instances like these. It truly boils down to managing what I can manage, simply being present in that instant, staying grounded in the place where my feet are, and appreciating the moment. You never know when this chance will present itself again, so capitalize on it while it's there."
The Royals will visit the Bronx on Saturday for Game 1 against the New York Yankees in the ALDS.
The thrilling comeback from the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card Series has shifted focus to Game 3, as sports fans are eager to see if they can continue their success in the world of baseball. Jackson Chourio's performance in the game, with his two game-tying home runs, has put him in the history books, making him only the second player in Major League history to achieve this feat.
After an unfortunate eighth inning, the Houston Astros suffered their first loss in the playoffs at home in eight years, bringing an end to their ALCS streak. The Detroit Tigers, on the other hand, seized the opportunity to advance to the ALDS for the first time since 2014.
