Covering the bases 9/22/2025: Padres 5, Brewers 4 (11 inn.)
In a game that could be a precursor to a postseason matchup, the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres played a game that had a playoff feel. The Brewers dropped a 5-4 decision to the San Diego Padres in 11 innings on Monday at Petco Park. The Brewers still have a magic number of three to wrap up the No. 1 seed in the NL postseason, leading the Philadelphia Phillies by 2½ games and Milwaukee having five games left in the regular season.
FIRST BASE: Contreras back behind the plate
In only William Contreras fashion, the catcher was in the starting lineup in his traditional catcher position. That isn't unusual. What was was the fact that Contreras on Saturday had to leave the game with a contusion on his left hand after being hit on a swing by Ivan Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals. Conteras has 126 starts as the catcher, with the team now 80-46 with him as the starter. He also has 22 games as the DH. Contreras sat out Sunday's game due to the injury. Contreras went 0-for-4 with a walk.
SECOND BASE: Early strike
The Brewers jumped on Padres starter Nick Pivetta for three runs in the second inning. Contreras walked, then was forced out at second on Sal Frelick's grounder. Andrew Vaughn singled to right and Isaac Collins walked to load the bases. Caleb Durbin then singled home Frelick and Joey Ortiz popped out. Christian Yelich then came up with the big hit, a hard single to center that scored Vaughn and Collins. But the inning was short-circuited as Durbin was thrown out trying to get to third.
THIRD BASE: 200 K's for Peralta
In what is likely is next-to-last action of the regular season, right-hander Freddy Peralta put forth another solid effort and achieved a career milestone. Peralta became just the third Dominican pitcher to have 200 strikeouts in three our more seasons. Peralta went five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk, striking out six. He joins Pedro Martinez (nine times), Juan Marichal and Mario Soto to reach 200 strikeouts in at least three seasons. He reached that mark by striking out Jake Cronenworth in the fourth inning.
HOME PLATE: Extra disappointment
You just had a feeling that it was going to be a night the Padres were going to clinch their spot in the postseason. And they did. Freddy Fermin singled with one out to center off Grant Anderson to drive in Bryce Johnson from third base with the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning. Extra innings was needed after Luis Arraez singled home the tying run in the bottom of the seventh, then both teams scored once in the 10th.
EXTRA BASES: TBA vs. Padres
⚾ The Brewers have not announced a starter for the second game of the series vs. the Padres, who will counter with right-hander Randy Vasquez (5-7, 3.94 ERA). The Brewers are likely to have some sort of a bullpen game, with left-hander Bruce Zimmerman potentially getting some bulk action. Vasquez was lit up by the New York Mets in his last outing, a 6-1 loss on Sept. 18. Vasquez was tagged for four runs in 2⅓ innings, giving up four hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
