Covering the bases 8/13/2025: Brewers 12, Pirates 5 (12 straight wins, free burgers)
Free burgers for everyone! Thanks to another offensive onslaught, the Milwaukee Brewers won their 12th game in a row, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-5 Wednesday at American Family Field. The Brewers improved to an MLB-best 76-44 and lead the NL Central by 7½ games over the second-place Chicago Cubs. The Cubs beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1. The 12-game winning streak is the second in franchise history during the regular season, just one behind the club record of 13, set to open the 1987 season. The Crew also combined to win 12 at the end of the 2018 season, with eight coming in the regular season and four in the postseason.
— Milwaukee Record (@milwaukeerecord.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 2:15 PM
FIRST BASE: Woodruff's short start
There was a little concern when right-hander Brandon Woodruff was pulled after four shutout innings and 65 pitches. The Crew held a 6-0 lead at the time and with a huge stretch of games coming up, it could have been an opportunity to give Woodruff a break. He had allowed four hits and two walks while striking out four. Manager Pat Murphy confirmed postgame that Woodruff was planned for a shorter outing with this being his first start on four days' rest.
SECOND BASE: Frelick gets it started
Coming into the season, Sal Frelick was a Gold Glove right fielder who was often stuck in the lower third of the batting order because of slim offensive contributions. Now? He is the motor that gets the Brewers' train going. Hitting out of the leadoff role, Frelick went 2-for-3 with two walks, two RBIs and four runs scored. In the third and fourth innings, Frelick had an RBI hit and then came around to score. He is slashing .296/.358/.416 this season after having batting avereages of .246 and .259 his first two MLB seasons.
THIRD BASE: Quick strikes
The Brewers turned this game into their favor very quickly in the bottom of the fourth inning. In six pitches, as a matter of fact. First, let's set up what happened. With one out and already leading 2-0, Blake Perkins walked. With two outs, Perkins stole second. Then, the Brewers took control. Joey Ortiz singled home Perkins, Frelick doubled to right to score Ortiz, Isaac Collins then doubled to left to plate Frelick and William Contreras singled to left and Frelick beat the throw home for a 6-0 lead. All four of the run-scoring hits came in a six-pitch stretch.
HOME PLATE: Contreras sizzles
In a repeating theme among several players, Contreras stayed hot as he once again has become a consistent threat in the middle of the Brewers' order. Contreras not only went 2-for-3, he walked twice and had four RBIs. He finished the homestand hitting .500 (10-for-20) with three homers and 12 RBIs.
EXTRA BASES: A day off
⚾ The Brewer are off Thursday before beginning a stretch of 23 games in 22 days. Next up is a three-game road series vs. the Cincinnati Reds before the big five-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Right-hander Jacob Misiorowski is expected to start this weekend, potentially Friday's series opener.
