Brewers outlast Braves, Sal Frelick dazzles in MLB debut
Sal Frelick hits a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves on July 22. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE - Sal Frelick went 3 for 3, drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and made two outstanding catches for a spectacular major league debut as the Milwaukee Brewers rallied to beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Saturday.
Austin Riley homered for the fifth straight game in a losing cause to tie a Braves franchise record. Riley has gone 10 for 21 with six homers, 16 RBIs and nine runs over his last five games.
Riley’s three-run shot off Adrian Houser in the third gave the Braves a 3-0 lead.
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Frelick made sure the Brewers came all the way back. Devin Williams then preserved Milwaukee's lead by working out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to earn his 25th save in 27 opportunities.
After learning he had been promoted from Triple-A Nashville on Friday night, Frelick caught a Saturday morning flight to Chicago and drove about 80 miles to Milwaukee to arrive in plenty of time for the game.
Frelick hit an infield single in his first career plate appearance and followed that up with a single down the right-field line to begin a two-run rally in the fifth. He singled home Jesse Winker in the sixth to tie the game and knocked in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
He also produced two noteworthy plays in the sixth to prevent extra-base hits when the Brewers trailed 3-2.
Frelick made a leaping catch of Marcell Ozuna's shot near the top of the right-field wall and then raced into the right-center field gap, jumped and banged against the wall to snare a drive from Orlando Arcia.
Milwaukee’s go-ahead rally began when Willy Adames led off the eighth with a double down the left-field line against Joe Jiménez (0-3). One out later, Adames took off for third when Andruw Monasterio hit a grounder to shortstop Arcia.
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Arcia tried to retire the lead runner rather than getting the easy out at first, but Adames reached third safely when Riley couldn’t handle the throw to first. Riley was charged with an error on the play.
Frelick followed with a sinking liner to right, but Arcia slid across the plate with the go-ahead run as Ronald Acuña Jr.’s throw got away from catcher Sean Murphy.
The Braves put the tying run at third with one out in the ninth as Eddie Rosario hit a one-out single and pinch-runner Forrest Wall – also making his big league debut – stole second and third. Devin Williams struck out Arcia on a 3-2 changeup but then walked Michael Harris II and Acuña to load the bases.
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Williams worked his way out of it by striking out Ozzie Albies, who hit a deep drive that went foul earlier in the at-bat.
Joel Payamps (4-1) earned the win with one inning of scoreless relief. Milwaukee's bullpen has thrown 27 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
Houser matched a career high with 10 strikeouts and allowed three runs in six innings. Atlanta starter Allan Winans — another player making his debut — struck out five and gave up two runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Trainer's room
Braves: Manager Brian Snitker said LHP Max Fried is expected to make at least one more rehabilitation appearance before getting activated. Fried hasn't pitched for the Braves since May 5 due to a forearm issue.
Brewers: RHP Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) threw three shutout innings in a rehabilitation appearance with Single-A Wisconsin on Saturday. Woodruff hasn’t pitched in the majors since April 7. ... LHP Aaron Ashby is with the team this weekend and says he has thrown about four bullpen sessions as he works his way back from a shoulder injury that has prevented him from pitching this season.
Up next
RHP Bryce Elder (7-2, 3.31 ERA) pitches for Atlanta and RHP Julio Teheran (2-4, 4.01) starts for Milwaukee as this series concludes Sunday.