Covering the bases 8/22/2025: Brewers 5, Giants 4
Kicking off a weekend that promised to be filled with lots of emotion, the Milwaukee Brewers got a walk-off win over the San Francisco Giants 5-4 Friday at American Family Field. The Brewers boosted their MLB-best record to 81-48 and kept their lead over the second-place Cubs at seven games after Chicago's 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. The Brewers welcomed back a familiar face now wearing a different uniform, then have their Wall of Honor induction Saturday and finally a remembrance of the iconic Bob Uecker on Sunday.
FIRST BASE: A little defense
You have heard of the strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play, right? Well, the Brewers put their own spin on that. In the top of the seventh, Brewers left-hander Aaron Ashby struck out Christian Koss, with the Giants' Luis Matos trying to steal second. Catcher William Contreras airmailed the throw, with no on really covering the bag, and the ball bounded into center. Center fielder Brandon Lockridge was in position backing up the play and threw a one-hopper to Caleb Durbin at third base to nail Matos. That came an inning after Brewers second baseman Brice Turang added his own nifty catch on a Heliot Ramos fly ball. And right fielder Sal Frelick made a terrific catch up against the wall in the third inning.
SECOND BASE: Return of Willywaukee
You knew Willy Adames was going to get a warm reception in his return to American Family Field, where he played the last three-plus season with the Brewers. Now a member of the Giants after signing a seven-year, $182 million free-agent contract, Adames is still trying to find his way with his new team. But back on familiar turf, Adames did what he did 107 times with the Brewers. Following a standing ovation, Adames hit the first pitch he saw for a solo homer in the top of the first inning. In his next plate appearance, Brewers fans booed Adames in a comically expected turn following his homer. But Adames went deep again in the top of the eighth inning to pull the Giants within 4-3. Adames, who homered to left in the first and to right in the eighth, has 22 homers this year.
THIRD BASE: Rare Megill misstep
You wouldn't know it by how he has performed in the role, but Trevor Megill has been nails as a closer, doing it for the first time last year and assuming the position full time this year. So when he has a hiccup, it is noticeable. Megill was on the verge of notching his 31st save of the season when things went sideways in the top of the ninth. After retiring the first two batters of the ninth, Megill gave up a shallow fly to center to Matos that center fielder Brandon Lockridge made the mistake of diving for. The ball got past Lockridge and Matos wound up on second with a double. Pinch-hitter Dominic Smith then hit a rocket off Megill that bounded toward Durbin at third base, with Matos advancing to third. That is when the unexpected struck and Megill uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Matos to score with the tying run. It was only the fifth blown save in 35 opportunities for Megill.
HOME PLATE: Time to walk it off
The Brewers' iron man catcher made a rare defensive mistake, but was bailed out by his teammates (see the First Base entry). So Contreras was a little peeved at himself and knew he wanted to make a big play for his team. He did exactly that. Contreras hit a first-pitch slider for a towering home run the cleared the left-field fence for his first career walk-off homer. Hitting has been a struggle for Contreras this season due to a broken middle finger on his catching hand, but he has been a key contributor in August. The homer was Contreras' 14th of the season, six of which have come in August. It was also the fourth walk-off homer of the season for the Brewers. Contreras also had a go-ahead double in the two-run seventh inning.
EXTRA BASES: Peralta goes for No. 16
⚾ Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta (15-5, 2.78 ERA) will look for his MLB-leading 16th win as he goes up against Giants ace Logan Webb (11-9, 3.19 ERA). In his last outing, Peralta twirled six shutout innings, allowing a mere one hit, while walking three and striking out six in the series opener vs. the Cubs. The Brewers have won 10 of his last 12 starts. Conversely, the Giants have lost four of Webb's last six starts, but he was really good his last time out. He allowed just three hits in seven shutout innings, not issuing any walks and striking out seven in a 7-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
⚾ Shortstop Joey Ortiz went on the 10-day injured list due to a strained left hamstring. Ortiz was injured running to first base on a grounder during Thursday's game. First baseman-outfielder Jake Bauers, who has been on the IL since July 20 due to a left shoulder impingement, was activated. As previously reported, outfielder Jackson Chourio (strained right hamstring) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville. Chourio, batting leadoff and playing center, went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in the Sounds' 8-4 win over the Louisville Bats.
