Yelich out for season as Brewers clip Marlins

The Milwaukee Brewers suffered awful news during a close 4-3 victory over the Miami Marlins Tuesday night at Marlins Park. Reigning National League MVP Christian Yelich broke his right kneecap while batting in the top of the first inning. They’ll be without his contributions for the rest of the 2019 season.

Facing right-hander Elieser Hernandez, Yelich fouled a 79.8 mph slider off his right kneecap, immediately dropping to the ground in pain. Brewers athletic trainer Rafael Freitas and manager Craig Counsell addressed Yelich. The longtime Marlins outfielder was able to eventually walk off the field under his own power before finding out about the extent of the injury.

Yelich emerged as one of MLB’s truly elite stars in 2018, his first campaign in Milwaukee (.326/.402/.598, 36 HR, 22 SB in 147 G). He was putting the finishing touches on an even better season this time around—.329/.429/.671, 44 HR, 30 SB in 130 G—and seriously threatening to become the only player in league history to mash 50 homers and accumulate 30 steals in the same season.

Yelich’s absence did not slow down the Brewers from earning a much-needed win against the Fish. Hernán Pérez belted a two-run homer to open the second to begin the scoring.

Isan Díaz had one of his two hits in the home half of the inning, driving home Jorge Alfaro to make it a 2-1 deficit. Diaz's offensive impact continued in his next plate appearance, slapping an RBI single to right in the fourth to trim Milwaukee’s lead to 3-2.

Right-hander Chase Anderson was unable to secure a victory, going four innings while allowing two runs on three hits, punching out two.

In the ninth, with the contest evened at 3-3 after Starlin Castro’s game-tying solo home run in the eighth, Yasmani Grandal and Trent Grisham both reached base safely to begin the frame off left-handed reliever Adam Conley. Then, Tyler Austin produced a sacrifice fly to center to score Grandal for the decisive run, as Lewis Brinson misfired on a potential outfield assist at the plate.

Milwaukee’s victory pushed their winning streak to five, whereas the Marlins are seven losses away from reaching 100 on the year.

Right-hander Pablo López will continue the four-game set Wednesday night. López took the loss in his previous start Friday night vs. Kansas City, despite working through 6 ¹⁄₃ innings of solid baseball. Right-hander Zach Davies will look to extend Milwaukee’s winning streak to six, posting a 1-1 mark in his last three starts. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Brewers vs. Marlins box score (Baseball Theater)

Fish Picks answer key

1. Hernandez
2. Under
3. Under
4. Yes
5. Brewers