Milwaukee walked into PNC Park on Wednesday with the division already secured, the previous night’s celebration scrubbed clean from the visiting clubhouse, and another ballgame waiting on the schedule. The Brewers handled it like a club still chasing something, beating Pittsburgh, 5-4, to keep their late-season push rolling.
Key takeaways
- The MLB-leading Brewers improved to 95-57 with 10 regular-season games still to play.
- Christian Yelich broke the tie for good with a two-run single in the seventh inning.
- Logan Henderson recorded his 22nd career start in which he allowed three runs or fewer.
- Milwaukee is two wins shy of equaling the franchise’s single-season victory mark from last year.
- A 5-5 finish would give the Brewers 100 wins, a total no NL Central team has reached since the 2016 Cubs.
Champagne night gives way to another win
There was little evidence Wednesday morning of the party that followed Milwaukee’s National League Central clincher. PNC Park visiting clubhouse manager Kevin Conrad and his staff had the room turned over by the time the Brewers arrived, leaving the newly crowned division champions to focus on the Pirates.
Manager Pat Murphy made the tone plain before the game, saying the club still had business in front of it.
That work showed up in the seventh. Yelich came through with a two-run single to put Milwaukee ahead for good, and the Brewers held on for a one-run decision. Henderson did enough on the mound to add another steady outing to his record, keeping his opponent at three runs or below for the 22nd time in his career as a starter.
A chance to add another line to the club record book
The division flag is already in hand, but Milwaukee has room to make the final stretch matter. At 95 victories, the Brewers need only two more to draw even with the franchise record established a season ago.
They also have a clean path to a round number that has been rare in the division. Playing even over the final 10 games would put Milwaukee at 100 wins, making the Brewers the first NL Central club to get there since Chicago’s 2016 team.
For now, the clubhouse has moved on from the celebration. The Brewers have a division title, a major-league-best record and 10 more chances to make the regular season even bigger.
SEO Title: Brewers Beat Pirates 5-4 as Milwaukee Chases 100 Wins
SEO Description: Christian Yelich delivered a go-ahead two-run single as the Brewers beat the Pirates 5-4, moved to 95-57 and continued their pursuit of the franchise win record.
