Freddy Peralta's great escape from a bases-loaded jam led the Brewers to a 9-3 win over the Pirates on June 25. Ortiz stayed hot as Peralta dazzled.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some innings define a game, and some define a pitcher's season. For Freddy Peralta, the top of the second inning on Wednesday night was one of those moments. Facing a bases-loaded, no-out jam against the rival Pirates, 'Fastball Freddy' turned into 'Freddy the Magician,' escaping the ultimate high-wire act without surrendering a single run and setting the tone for a dominant 9-3 Brewers victory.
'Freddy was a magician tonight. That second inning was the turning point.' - William Contreras
The game could have unraveled early. A few singles and a walk loaded the bases for Pittsburgh with nobody out in the second. But Peralta dug deep, striking out Henry Davis and then inducing a sharp lineout from the dangerous O'Neil Cruz to end the threat, stranding all three runners. It was a masterclass in poise and execution. Catcher William Contreras summed it up perfectly after the game, calling Peralta a 'magician.' That escape energized the entire team, and Freddy settled in to deliver six brilliant innings, allowing just two runs while striking out eight. It was the ace performance Milwaukee needed.
While Peralta was dealing, the offense provided more than enough support, led once again by the scorching-hot Joey Ortiz. Extending his multi-hit streak to four games, Ortiz went 2-for-4 with a key RBI double that helped break the game open. He's been the engine of this offense, raising his season average to a robust .291. He wasn't alone, as Sal Frelick chipped in with a timely run-scoring single and the lineup consistently applied pressure. The night was capped off perfectly by Abner Uribe, who entered in the ninth and summarily struck out the side, putting an exclamation point on the win.
A win like this is a great reminder of the organization's strength from top to bottom. While the big-league club is clicking, the future is brewing in the minors. Eighteen-year-old shortstop Jesus Made continues to look like a future superstar in the Carolina League, while hard-throwing righty Jacob Misiorowski is dominating with a 1.60 ERA and improved command. This pipeline is set to get even stronger. With the MLB Draft approaching, reports suggest the Brewers will target an 'underslot' college bat with their first-round pick—a player with elite bat-to-ball skills—allowing them to save money to aggressively pursue high-upside high school talent in later rounds. It's a strategy that has built one of the best farm systems in baseball, ensuring the Crew will be competing for years to come.
With the series now tied 3-3, this felt like more than just one win in June. It was a statement. Behind an ace's gutsy performance, a relentless offense, and a lockdown bullpen, the Brewers showed their complete-game potential. As they look to take the series from the Pirates, fans can feel confident that the team is not only built to win now, but has a clear and exciting plan for the future.
