No deficit as large as seven runs can hold back the Milwaukee Brewers. On Friday evening, the Brewers overcame an 8-1 disadvantage against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park (MIL 10, CIN 8), achieving their 13th straight victory. This 13-game run equals the longest single-season streak in the franchise’s history and ranks as the second-longest overall in Brewers history.
The rally truly commenced when Andrew Vaughn, who has emerged as a standout over the past few weeks, hit a three-run homer to narrow the gap to three runs in the third inning. However, the standout performer was Christian Yelich. He finished 4 for 5 with a double and two home runs, including the decisive shot in the sixth inning. He fell just a triple short of achieving his fourth career cycle — with the previous three all against the Reds.
Most notably, Yelich showcased his impressive performance using a Bob Uecker bat during Players Weekend. The bat was originally crafted for Players Weekend last year, although Yelich was unavailable due to a back injury. Uecker passed away at age 90 in January.
«What a good life. A great life, 90 years. We should all be so fortunate,» Yelich commented before Friday’s game (via MLB.com). «… You remember the stories he would share. That’s the kind of thing you’ll genuinely miss because nobody else can tell stories like that. But what a life, right?»
Milwaukee’s offense bailed out rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski, who gave up five runs in 1 1/3 innings during his first start back from a left tibia contusion. He threw 54 pitches. Lefty DL Hall was responsible for three runs in 2 2/3 innings in relief of Misiorowski. Following that, five Brewers relievers combined to retire the final 23 Reds hitters.
The 13-game winning streak ties the 1987 team for the longest in a single season in Brewers history. The 1987 squad won its first 13 games of that season. When you include the last three games of 1986, the team record stands at a 16-game winning streak spanning 1986-87. The current 13-game run ties with the Minnesota Twins for the longest winning streak in baseball this year.
The seven-run comeback marks the Brewers’ largest since last September 22, when they transformed an 8-0 deficit into a 10-9 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The biggest comeback in franchise history remains nine runs against the Houston Astros on May 22, 2000.
Friday’s victory elevated the Brewers to an MLB-best 77-44. They have claimed 28 of their last 32 games. In contrast, the Reds fell to 64-59, sitting half a game behind the third wild card spot.
