Chourio Delivers Late as Brewers Move Within One Win of NLCS

Jackson Chourio delivered a two-run walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-3 in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, giving Milwaukee a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five matchup.

The Brewers entered the ninth trailing 3-2 at American Family Field before mounting their decisive rally against Padres closer Mason Miller. Christian Yelich and Sal Frelick drew one-out walks, and Gary Sánchez later walked with two outs to load the bases. Chourio then lined a 2-2 fastball into center field, allowing Yelich and Frelick to score and ending the game. MLB recorded the pitch at 101.3 mph.

The victory leaves Milwaukee one win away from advancing to the National League Championship Series. The series now moves to San Diego for Game 3.

Brewers Rally in the Ninth

Milwaukee spent most of the game playing from behind.

San Diego opened the scoring in the first inning after Manny Machado drew a two-out walk, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a Ty France single. The Padres added an unearned run in the fifth after Luis Campusano reached on a single and later scored following a Milwaukee defensive error.

Padres starter Michael King kept Milwaukee quiet early, retiring the first 14 Brewers he faced. Yelich broke through with a two-out double in the fifth, and Frelick followed with an RBI single to reduce San Diego's lead to 2-1.

The Padres restored their two-run advantage in the seventh. Fernando Tatis Jr. reached on an error, Machado drew a walk and France drove in another run with a single.

Milwaukee responded in the bottom half. Garrett Mitchell reached base and eventually scored when Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth committed an error, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

That set up the ninth-inning comeback.

Chourio Wins the Final Battle Against Miller

Miller had worked a perfect eighth inning and returned for the ninth as San Diego attempted to secure a six-out save.

After retiring Mitchell to begin the inning, Miller walked Yelich and Frelick. Andrew Vaughn then flew out, bringing the Brewers to their final out.

Sánchez kept the inning alive with another walk, loading the bases for Chourio.

Chourio worked the count before driving Miller's fastball through the middle of the field for the game-winning hit. MLB confirmed that it was a two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

The hit continued an impactful start to the series for the 22-year-old outfielder. Chourio had also homered in Milwaukee's 3-2 Game 1 victory, helping the Brewers overcome another early deficit.

His Game 2 contribution was decisive, but the confirmed game sequence also shows that the rally depended on three walks in the ninth and Milwaukee keeping the margin within one run despite earlier mistakes.

Milwaukee Overcomes Defensive Problems

The Brewers' win came despite an unusually difficult defensive performance.

Milwaukee committed three errors, matching its season high, with defensive mistakes contributing to two of San Diego's three runs. Manager Pat Murphy's pitching staff nevertheless prevented the Padres from turning those additional opportunities into a larger lead.

Starter Logan Henderson allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits over five-plus innings. The Brewers' bullpen then limited the damage sufficiently for the offense to remain within striking distance.

That distinction is important when assessing the game. The confirmed result shows Milwaukee overcoming its own mistakes, but it does not necessarily indicate that the Brewers controlled the contest throughout. San Diego led entering the final half-inning and was one out from evening the series.

Padres Unable to Protect Late Lead

For San Diego, the defeat was particularly costly because Miller had already navigated the eighth inning without allowing a runner.

He entered the game with 38 regular-season saves and was being asked to complete two innings. According to MLB's game review, Miller walked three batters in the ninth before Chourio produced the winning hit.

The Padres had also carried a late lead into Game 1 before Milwaukee went ahead on William Contreras' seventh-inning home run.

Those consecutive defeats have put San Diego in an elimination position, although the series is not over. The Padres will return home needing a Game 3 victory to extend the NLDS.

Brewers Take a 2-0 Series Lead

Milwaukee has now won the first two games of the best-of-five series, both by one run.

The Brewers took Game 1 by a 3-2 score and followed it with Sunday's 4-3 victory. MLB officially lists Milwaukee as leading the NLDS 2-0.

A third victory would send the Brewers into the NLCS.

That is the confirmed competitive position entering Game 3. Any assessment of Milwaukee's chances of completing the series is analysis rather than an established outcome, particularly with the next game moving to San Diego.

Game 3 Moves to San Diego

Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, at Petco Park in San Diego.

MLB lists the first pitch for 9:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. CT and 6:30 p.m. PT.

Right-hander Dustin May is scheduled to start for Milwaukee, while Nick Pivetta is set to take the mound for San Diego. MLB's official preview confirms both pitchers for the matchup.

May finished the regular season 7-9 with a 4.70 ERA, while Pivetta enters the game after returning from an extended absence caused by a right elbow flexor strain. MLB reported that Pivetta recorded a 1.64 ERA across five starts after returning from the injured list, including postseason play.

The Brewers will have their first opportunity to close the series in San Diego. The Padres, meanwhile, must win to force a fourth game.

Conclusion

Jackson Chourio's two-run single with two outs in the ninth gave the Milwaukee Brewers a 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres and a 2-0 lead in the NLDS.

Milwaukee overcame three errors and a 3-2 deficit entering the final inning, with walks by Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick and Gary Sánchez setting up Chourio's decisive hit against Mason Miller.

The Brewers are now one victory from the National League Championship Series, but the series continues in San Diego. Game 3 is scheduled for October 6 at Petco Park, with Dustin May expected to start for Milwaukee against Nick Pivetta.

---