Christian Yelich's 13th homer lifts Brewers over Reds 3-2 on June 2, 2025, despite a sore hand. Get full recap of Yelich's clutch hit & Brewers' win!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Talk about playing through the pain! Christian Yelich, nursing a right hand contusion that thankfully showed negative X-rays, didn't just suit up against the Reds on Monday – he delivered the decisive blow. His third-inning solo shot, his 13th of the season, proved to be the game-winner as the Brewers edged out Cincinnati 3-2 at Great American Ball Park.
Despite a sore hand from a weekend HBP, Christian Yelich delivered the game-winning blow, his 13th homer of the season, to secure a 3-2 victory over the Reds.
The Brewers faithful held their breath when news surfaced about Christian Yelich's right hand contusion, an injury apparently picked up after being hit by a pitch over the weekend series in Philadelphia. While X-rays thankfully came back negative, 'day-to-day' never sounds great. But Yelich, ever the competitor, was in the lineup and made his presence felt immediately. After the Reds jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, the Brewers clawed back with two runs of their own in the second. Then, in the top of the third, Yelich stepped up and launched a solo home run, his 13th of the year, which ultimately stood as the game-winner. It was a gritty performance that underscores his importance to this club, sore hand and all, leading the team to a 3-2 victory despite being outhit 8-5.
On the mound, Aaron Civale battled through 5.1 innings, scattering seven hits but limiting the damage to just two earned runs, both coming in that first inning. He picked up his first win of the season (1-1), striking out five Reds batters. While the Brewers were outhit, the pitching staff did enough to make the early offense stand up. Adding to the positive pitching news, veteran lefty Jose Quintana was reinstated from the 15-day injured list on June 2nd. His return should provide a steadying presence in the rotation or bullpen. To make room on the roster, fellow southpaw Tyler Alexander was designated for assignment. It's always tough to see a player go, but Quintana's experience is a welcome addition as the Crew navigates the season.
And let's not forget the future! Down on the farm, one of the Brewers' top prospects, infielder Bitonti (ranked #7 in their system), is absolutely raking. He smashed two more home runs in his Single-A game on Monday, marking his second straight multi-homer performance. As the weather heats up in June, so does Bitonti's bat, showcasing the kind of significant power that has the organization buzzing. It's exciting to see this development from a key piece of the Brewers' 2025 minor league plans as he truly seems to be turning a corner.
With Yelich hopefully healing quickly, Quintana back in the fold, and young talent like Bitonti mashing in the minors, Monday brought plenty of positives. The Crew showed resilience to snag a tough road win, and they'll look to build on this momentum as the season rolls on. Keep an eye on Yelich's hand, but for now, let's celebrate a hard-fought victory!
