A hot start wasn’t enough to lock down the win
The Brewers first game against the Padres began in familiar fashion: pressuring opponents with base hit after base hit, limiting opposing hitters to soft contact, and working efficient innings. It quickly turned for the worse when the Padres scored six runs in the fifth inning, ensuring their eventual 7-3 win over Milwaukee.
The Brewers combined for four singles in the first inning alone, scoring their first run off Padres starter Joe Musgrove. The small-ball approach is one of the most impressive parts of this roster, but the Brewers’ substantial power bump continues to shine. In the second inning, Jackson Chourio hit his third home run of the season to extend the lead to 3-0.
The wunderkind is at it again @Bryanchourio11 X #Jackie42 https://t.co/xZ4ewJeCQK pic.twitter.com/BQ3Rejtdu5
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 16, 2024
That’s not an insurmountable lead, as was made evident all too quickly, but it was easy to believe the Brewers were about to run away with another win. Musgrove’s pitch count was climbing and climbing, while the Padres’ offense only managed to get one runner in scoring position through the first three innings.
The momentum of the game shifted, though, as Musgrove settled in from his bumpy beginning. The Brewers’ offense stagnated for nearly the remainder of the night, only getting one runner to second base between the fourth and eighth innings. Musgrove’s 35th pitch was that home run to Jackson Chourio in the second inning, yet Musgrove ended up finishing the sixth inning without allowing another run.
The Padres were able to put together their own game-swinging rally at Joe Ross’ expense. Ross was efficient in the early going, but the first bad omen came in the fourth inning. Ross led off with a walk against Jake Cronenworth. Cronenworth would move to third on a single and ultimately score on a groundout.
The deluge came in the next inning when the Padres rallied for six runs. San Diego had six singles and received some help from Milwaukee in the form of a passed ball, a walk, and a catcher’s interference. In just one inning, Ross’ outing turned into a disaster, and the Brewers trailed 7-3. It wasn’t that Ross had a truly atrocious outing, with nearly all those singles being softly hit, but it was a discouraging string of events in what was otherwise a promising beginning.
The bullpen did its job to keep the game competitive, but the offense was unable to break through San Diego’s bullpen. As late as the ninth inning, Milwaukee finally started turning the gears again, and even loaded the bases. The comeback was cut short before they could claw back some of those necessary runs, and the Brewers would have to accept defeat in the first game of the series.
That seems good pic.twitter.com/qfzrwsk0Lr
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 16, 2024
Although it was a loss, it was possible to glean some positives from the game. Jackson Chourio had a .167 batting average in his previous seven games entering the night, but a 2-for-4 performance with the homer raised his season OPS to .749. William Contreras continued his hot streak, notching a multi-hit performance of his own while earning two walks.
There were some missed opportunities on both sides of the ball, but the Brewers have a tantalizing matchup on the horizon to make up for the disappointing result. Wade Miley makes his second start of the season tomorrow against the Padres’ splashy trade acquisition, Dylan Cease. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. and will be available on Bally Sports Wisconsin and the Brewers Radio Network.