MILWAUKEE (AP) — Corbin Burnes broke out of his recent slump and gave the Milwaukee Brewers a boost as they attempt to rejuvenate their playoff hopes.
Burnes struck out 14 and allowed three hits in eight shutout innings as the Brewers beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday.
The Brewers are at home for 20 of their last 26 games. They're hoping that schedule helps them go on a late surge as they attempt to chase down the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres for the NL's final wild-card spots.
“Having all these home games at the end is definitely going to help us with this playoff push, but it takes some good baseball for us to get in there,” Burnes said.
Burnes delivered some good baseball Thursday.
He entered this doubleheader having allowed 17 earned runs in 21 innings over his last four starts. But he dominated the Giants and showcased the form that enabled him to win the NL Cy Young Award last season.
“I just did a better job of commanding it early and forcing them to swing, making some pitches out of the zone and getting them to swing and miss,” Burnes said. “As far as the last couple outings to this one goes, just better job getting ahead and finding the strike zone a little better. But as far as stuff, it was the same.”
Burnes struck out 10 or more batters for the ninth time this season to tie the Brewers' single-season record set by Ben Sheets in 2004. Burnes (10-6) also holds the franchise record for double-digit strikeout games with 21.
His 14 strikeouts were one off his career high. Burnes had 15 strikeouts in a 10-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 11, 2021.
“Nothing new," Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. "That’s Corbin Burnes. That was as good as we’ve seen him. His stuff was carrying through the zone. He was hitting the top of the zone. His cutter was working well. The ball was moving all over the place. It’s tough to name five better starters in baseball.”
Burnes needed to be at his best to outduel San Francisco’s Jakob Junis (4-5), who struck out four and allowed three hits, two runs and two walks in six innings. Junis entered in the second inning, relieving opener Scott Alexander.
The Giants opened the scoring in the third inning as LaMonte Ward hit a two-out single and came home on Mike Yastrzemski’s double.
Burnes retired the next 13 batters, striking out eight of them, before David Villar opened the eighth with an infield single. Burnes got out of the eighth when Luis Gonzalez grounded into a double play and Joey Bart lined to short.
Devin Williams retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his 11th save in 12 opportunities.
Burnes didn't walk a batter, although he hit one.
After not putting a runner on base in the first three innings, the Brewers broke through with two runs in the fourth.
Jace Peterson led off with a pinch-hit single, stole second and scored on Christian Yelich’s double to left center. Hunter Renfroe's ground-rule double brought home Yelich.
SIBLING RIVALRIES
This doubleheader has two sets of brothers facing off.
Giants reliever Tyler Rogers and Brewers reliever Taylor Rogers are identical twins. San Francisco’s Scott Alexander is the older brother of Brewers right-hander Jason Alexander.
Jason Alexander is the Brewers’ scheduled starter Friday, so he was unlikely to pitch in Thursday’s doubleheader.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, the last time two sets of brothers played against each other in the same game was Aug. 6, 1977, when St. Louis’ Hector Cruz and Bob Forsch and Houston’s Jose Cruz and Ken Forsch all played in a game the Cardinals won 3-1. Elias’ records only accounted for instances in which all four siblings saw action in the game.
TRAINER’S ROOM
RHP Justin Topa was designated as the Brewers’ 29th man for the doubleheader. Topa hadn’t pitched in the majors since Sept. 3, 2021, as he recovered from a third elbow surgery. ... The Brewers also reinstated INF Mike Brosseau (right oblique) from the injured list and optioned OF Esteury Ruiz to Triple-A Nashville.
UP NEXT
Giants: Stay on the road to begin a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs. Scheduled starters Friday are LHP Carlos Rodón (12-7, 2.92 ERA) for the Giants and LHP Drew Smyly (5-8, 3.84) for the Cubs.
Brewers: Stay home to start a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds. Jason Alexander (2-2, 5.03) starts for the Brewers on Friday with LHP Nick Lodolo (3-5, 3.95) pitching for the Reds. ___
