Brewers big third inning too much for Padres, dropping series opener
May 12, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) slides safely into second base ahead of the tag by San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) for a double against the San Diego Padres in the fifth inning at American Family Field. MILWAUKEE - Tuesday's starting pitching game plan for the San Diego Padres was a big let down, as they start their six game road stand with a series opening loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-4, at American Family Field. The Padres' (24-17) idea was to return to what worked for them six days ago during their series finale against the Giants.
Right-handed reliever Bradgley Rodriguez (0-2, 1. 74 ERA) would get the start and pitch the first inning, and then quickly give the mound to right-hander Matt Waldron (1-2, 9. 28 ERA).
While it worked against a mediocre, struggling San Francisco ball club, it did not against a Brewers (23-16) team that is coming off sweeping the Yankees, have won five consecutive games and are 8-2 in their last 10. At first, the plan started off smoothly with Rodriguez pitching a one, two, three opening frame and Waldron tossing a scoreless second inning. Waldron would get the first two batters out in the third inning, leading up to shortstop Joey Ortiz.
Up 1-2 in the count, Waldron was a strike away from retiring Ortiz, but he connected on a sweeper in the middle of the zone for a solo shot to give the Brewers the game's first lead. Waldron was able to get through the inning after giving up a single to Brice Turang immediately after the homer. However, Waldron would get himself into a jam with a one-out double by William Contreras, an eight-pitch walk to Jake Bauers and a line drive single by Garrett Mitchell to load the bases.
Right-fielder Sal Frelick returned the lead back to the Brewers with a two-run ground ball single to left field, and after a miscommunication between Waldron and Manny Machado on who would get the retrieval, David Hamilton reached on base with bunt single to load the bases for a second time in the inning. Ortiz earned his second RBI of the game by hitting a sac-fly to center field and Turang, who is one of the hottest players in the National league slashing . 306/.
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