Brewers 3-2 Giants (September 10, 2024) Match Report

SAN FRANCISCO – William Contreras had three hits and scored a run, Garrett Mitchell hit a home run and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Aaron Civale (6-8) allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings and pitched well against the Giants after throwing seven scoreless innings at home two weeks ago. His record improved to 4-2 since being traded from the Rays to the Brewers in July.

“They were a little aggressive on some of the shots in the zone, and I hit them back with some aggressive shots,” Civale said. “I just tried to keep the ball in spots in the zone where they felt like they couldn't handle it as well, and I was able to do that for the most part.”

The Brewers, who lead the NL Central and entered the game on the back of four losses in five games, are now 8 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs in the division. The Giants have fallen eight games behind the third NL wild-card team.

Milwaukee improved to 66-3, the best score in the NL when it led after seven innings.

“I can criticize a few things here and there, but I thought the guys were able to compete again,” said Brewers manager Pat Murphy. “Another close game. It's about our 90th one this year with a one or two run lead.”

Four of the Brewers' first five batters got hits against Giants starter Landon Roupp (0-1) to start the game. Contreras hit home a single off Jackson Chourio, and Willy Adames hit home Contreras to give Milwaukee a 2-0 lead.

Matt Chapman hit an RBI double for the Giants in the first inning. Mitchell and Mike Yastrzemski each hit a home run in the sixth inning.

Mitchell, who went for a fastball but took an offspeed pitch from Tristan Beck out of play on the first pitch, delivered a key safety run. The Brewers' focus is not on the magic number to win the NL Central, which slipped to nine with Tuesday's win, he said.

“I think today was just about coming out, playing our brand of baseball and showing them,” Mitchell said. “Obviously it gets exciting the closer you get to the end, knowing it's coming. But I don't think that's the main focus.”

DL Hall, Trevor Megill and Devin Williams managed to stop the Giants in the final 3 2/3 innings. Williams made his 10th save by throwing out Tyler Fitzgerald at second base with the tying run to end the game.

Roupp calmed down after the first inning, allowing two runs in five innings without any walks. The 26-year-old made his first career start for the Giants on his birthday and was brought in at short notice as a replacement for scheduled starter and fellow rookie Hayden Birdsong.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present,” Roupp said.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Birdsong was fine but wanted Roupp – who had made 19 appearances in the bullpen but had not pitched since last Thursday – not to go too long without pitching.

“I felt really good,” Roupp said. “I felt like I hit the strike zone. I missed a couple of pitches outside the zone in the first inning and allowed some early hits. But after that, I felt like I was focused and settled in.”

Roupp is suitable for both the starting lineup and the bullpen, Melvin said.

“He's got the repertoire,” he said. “He's been a starter before. We like him in both ways, but it's nice to see him step up a little and give us five innings and definitely keep us in the game.”

TRAINING ROOM

Giants: RHP Jordan Hicks (right shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to pitch in a rehab assignment at Single-A San Jose on Tuesday … LHP Robbie Ray (left hamstring strain) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday.

Next

LHP Blake Snell (2-3, 3.62 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Giants on Wednesday, opposite RHP Colin Rea (12-4, 3.72 ERA) for the Brewers.

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This story has been corrected to show that the Brewers are 8 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs in the NL Central, not 4 1/2 games.

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