Milwaukee left American Family Field with a 2-0 National League Division Series lead after Jackson Chourio delivered the deciding hit in a 4-3, Game 2 walk-off on Sunday. The 22-year-old center fielder waited out Mason Miller’s 2-2 slider, then drove a 101.3 mph fastball into center for a two-run single after the Padres closer had loaded the bases in the ninth.
The series now moves to San Diego, where the Padres will try to turn a pair of narrow losses into a comeback. Game 3 is Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. CT and 6:30 p.m. PT, with FS1, FOX Deportes and FOX One carrying the broadcast.
The result
Neither game in Milwaukee has offered much separation. The Brewers won the opener after William Contreras hit a go-ahead home run against left-handed setup man Adrian Morejon in the seventh, then survived a messier but equally dramatic finish in Game 2.
Milwaukee’s hitters made Miller work in the ninth. Christian Yelich and Sal Frelick took one-out walks, Gary Sánchez drew another with two outs, and Chourio came up with the bases full. Miller had struck out two in a spotless eighth inning, but his command slipped as his pitch count climbed to 40, his highest total in a Padres appearance.
Miller finished the regular season with 38 saves in 41 opportunities, but Sunday marked his first blown save of 2026 and his first walk-off loss. He did not hide from the result.
“It was terrible. I didn’t do my job,” Miller said. “We could have had the series even, and instead we’re behind. It feels awful.”
Chourio had seen enough from the at-bats in front of him to expect a fastball eventually. He was ready when Miller challenged him.
“He had been a little erratic,” Chourio said through translator Daniel de Mondesert. “I figured the fastball would come at some point, and I wanted to be mentally prepared for it.”
The hit added another October line to Chourio’s growing file. He now owns eight game-tying or go-ahead RBIs in Brewers postseason history, the most in club history. His 15 postseason RBIs trail only Ryan Braun among Milwaukee players, while his total ranks behind only Andruw Jones in Major League history for a player who had not yet turned 23.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy sees a player still adding layers to his game despite all that early production.
“He’s beginning to understand how he needs to play,” Murphy said. “For all his ability, he is still learning. He’s becoming a legitimate top-level player, and he shows up every day.”
Yelich, meanwhile, was careful not to treat the 2-0 advantage as a finished job.
“Either of those games could have gone the other way,” Yelich said. “This series is nowhere near finished. We have to keep playing well.”
The bullpen test
The Brewers have put pressure on San Diego’s late-inning group in both games. Morejon threw 31 pitches across two innings in Game 1 before allowing Contreras’ homer, and Miller’s extended ninth inning followed in Game 2.
Monday’s off-day gives both relievers time to recover, while Padres manager Craig Stammen also avoided using other high-leverage options, including Jason Adam. Still, San Diego needs its bullpen to be sharper if it is going to win three straight and return the series to Milwaukee.
“They’re an excellent club, and they showed how hard they can fight in Milwaukee,” Stammen said. “But we feel good about playing at home. We want to protect our field and give ourselves a chance to get back to Milwaukee.”
Petco Park changes the setting
The Padres were 51-30 at Petco Park during the regular season, a .630 winning percentage tied for fourth best in baseball. With elimination looming, they will have a home crowd behind them for Game 3 and, if necessary, Wednesday’s Game 4.
San Diego second baseman Jake Cronenworth said the club has spent recent months in demanding situations and believes the group is equipped for another one.
“Everyone is excited to be back in front of our fans,” Cronenworth said. “This group has been tested over the last few months. I can’t think of a better group to have with our backs against the wall.”
The opening games already have included some strange home-field moments. In Game 1, France’s apparent go-ahead homer struck a cable beneath the American Family Field roof and became a ninth-inning out. Game 2 brought the ninth-inning swing that sent Milwaukee home celebrating.
The defensive edge
Clean defense may decide whether Milwaukee closes the series or San Diego stretches it. The Brewers committed three errors on Sunday, matching their season high. They had reached that total only twice during the regular season, and two of the mistakes came in the fifth inning.
The previous time Milwaukee made three errors in a game came Aug. 11 in San Diego.
“We handed them too many free bases and were fortunate to remain in the game,” Murphy said. “Our pitching made quality pitches to keep us there, but those errors are not typical of us.”
The Padres made two errors in Game 2. The most costly came in the bottom of the seventh, when David Hamilton hit a ground ball with runners at the corners. Cronenworth bobbled it at second base, then threw it away, allowing Milwaukee to pull within a run.
Stammen said the two clubs have the kind of speed and defensive ability that can create both chaos and highlight plays.
“Both teams have strong defenses and speed on offense,” Stammen said. “That can force mistakes, but it can also produce some outstanding plays. There were plays both sides would want back, and there were some very good ones, too. It was a close game, and they needed a walk-off to beat us.”
