MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) — Josh Hader navigated a walk, a single, and a double-steal in the 9th inning to strand the game-tying run at second base and send the Milwaukee Brewers to the Postseason for the 4th straight year via a 6-4 win over the Cubs on Saturday.
The Brewer’s closer nailed down his 33rd save of the season despite not having his best stuff on Saturday. He led off the inning by walking Trayce Thompson before an infield fly recorded the first out of the inning. Ian Happ followed that with a base hit to put runners at first and second.
Hader then struck out Wilson Contreras for the second out. The Cubs put on a double steal that advanced both runners to second and third, but it was all for naught as Patrick Wisdom struck out to end the game.
Devin Williams picked up the win in relief after striking out three and walking one in the 8th. Starter Corbin Burns turned in a quality start but didn’t factor in the decision.
The Brewers’ offense recorded four home runs in the game starting with a solo shot from Manny Pina to open the scoring in the second inning. Eduardo Escobar followed that with another solo blast one inning later. Then in the 6th Jace Peterson got in on the action with a tater of his own before Pina recorded his second long-ball of the game to break a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the 8th and put Milwaukee up for good.
Pina and Pablo Reyes both recorded two hits on the day for the Brewers. Christian Yelich finished 1-4 with a run scored.
The result combined with losses by the Reds and Padres assured the Brewers of at least a Wild Card birth in the Postseason. Their magic number to win the Central Division title stands at three over the St. Louis Cardinals. Cincinnati was eliminated from Central Division contention on Saturday but remains alive in the Wild Card chase.
The Brewers did not do much celebrating on the field following Saturday’s game despite securing their spot in the Postseason.
Three of the five National League Postseason spots have now been claimed. The NL Ease title and one Wildcard spot remain up for grabs
