Brewers lose to Dodgers 6-3 on July 18 as Freddie Freeman's homer bests a Christian Yelich blast. The night is soured by a freak injury to a top prospect.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of mixed fortunes for the Milwaukee Brewers, as a powerful Dodgers lineup handed them a 6-3 loss in Los Angeles, dropping their season record to 56-41. While Christian Yelich continued his hot hitting with a solo blast, the Crew couldn't overcome an early deficit, and the on-field disappointment was matched by some tough news from the farm system.
I’ve always seen myself as a third baseman.
The game felt like an uphill battle from the start. Freddie Freeman launched a three-run homer off Freddy Peralta in the very first inning, putting the Brewers in a hole they'd never dig out of. Peralta battled for 5.1 innings, striking out seven, but surrendered five runs and two long balls. Christian Yelich did his part, going 2-for-4 with a solo shot in the sixth, and William Contreras chipped in with two hits and an RBI. However, it wasn't enough to solve Dodgers ace Walker Buehler, who kept the Milwaukee offense mostly in check for six solid innings. The bullpen allowed one more run, sealing a frustrating start to the weekend series.
The loss on the field was tough, but the news from Double-A Biloxi was downright gut-wrenching. Top third base prospect Brock Wilken, the team's 2023 first-round pick, is expected to miss 8-10 weeks after dislocating his left kneecap. The injury occurred during the team's celebration of their first-half championship—a freak accident that puts a promising season on hold. It's a particularly tough blow for Wilken, who had been finding his groove at the plate after missing time last season with a facial injury. Fans will have to wait a little longer to see the slugger's journey continue.
Amid the setbacks, there was a glimpse of the future. The Brewers officially signed Andrew Fischer, a power-hitting corner infielder from Tennessee. While he played first base in college, Fischer is determined to prove himself at the hot corner. His arrival adds another high-upside bat to a deep farm system, a need that feels even more acute with Wilken's injury. The team also added shortstop Brady Ebel, son of Dodgers coach Dino Ebel, with the compensatory draft pick received for losing Willy Adames, creating a fun family storyline for the new prospect.
Friday was a reminder of the highs and lows of a long baseball season. A loss to a fellow contender and a significant injury to a key prospect stings. But the Brewers will be back at it tomorrow in LA, looking to even the series. And as players like Andrew Fischer and Brady Ebel join the fold, it’s clear the organizational pipeline remains strong, fueling hope that the future in Milwaukee is as bright as ever, even on the tough nights.
