Andruw Monasterio’s pinch-hit three-run homer in the 11th inning secured a 6-5 victory for the Milwaukee Brewers over the Cincinnati Reds, extending their franchise-record winning streak to 14 games. The backup infielder’s clutch performance capped a dramatic comeback that saw Milwaukee overcome multiple deficits at Great American Ball Park.
The Milwaukee Brewers achieved a new franchise milestone on Saturday night when seldom-used infielder Andruw Monasterio launched a three-run, pinch-hit home run in the 11th inning against Cincinnati Reds reliever Joe La Sorsa. The 28-year-old Venezuelan, who hadn’t made Milwaukee’s Opening Day roster and had only five career MLB homers prior, connected with the decisive blow at Great American Ball Park to break a 3-3 deadlock. His heroics came after manager Pat Murphy had prepared him four times for a potential critical at-bat during the extra-inning contest.
This victory marked the Brewers’ 14th consecutive win, breaking the previous franchise record of 13 straight victories set by the 1987 team featuring Hall of Famer Robin Yount. The current streak stands as the longest in Major League Baseball this season and represents Milwaukee’s most sustained dominance since joining the National League in 1998. The comeback win required overcoming deficits in the late innings, continuing a pattern where the Brewers have now trailed in eight of their 14 consecutive victories.
The game unfolded as a back-and-forth battle that saw Milwaukee capitalize on Cincinnati miscues. The Brewers tied the game in the ninth inning when Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz committed a throwing error, then took a temporary lead in the 10th when left fielder Jake Fraley tripped while fielding William Contreras’ single. Milwaukee starter Quinn Priester contributed to the historic night by retiring the first nine batters he faced, part of a franchise-record sequence where Brewers pitchers retired 32 consecutive Reds hitters across Friday and Saturday’s games.
Monasterio’s home run carried significant personal meaning, marking his first career pinch-hit homer and ending Milwaukee’s 260-game drought without a pinch-hit home run in regular season play. The victory reinforced the team’s reputation for resilience, with manager Pat Murphy praising his “hungry, undaunted” roster of relatively unknown players who “keep coming” regardless of circumstances. The win also tied the franchise record of 34 games above .500 (81-47), highlighting their remarkable 52-17 run over the past 69 games.
With this victory, Milwaukee extended their National League Central division lead to nine games over the Chicago Cubs with just 40 games remaining in the regular season. The streak has transformed the Brewers into what Hall of Famer Robin Yount called “national news,” captivating baseball fans nationwide with their relentless play. As the team pursues its first World Series championship, this historic run positions them as strong contenders for October baseball, with players and alumni alike expressing hopes that the winning continues indefinitely.
The Brewers’ record-setting performance underscores baseball’s unpredictability, where backup players like Monasterio can emerge as heroes during pivotal moments. Their ability to win through various means – whether via star performances, opponent errors, or unexpected contributions from role players – demonstrates the depth and tenacity that could make them formidable postseason opponents. As the streak continues, Milwaukee now sets its sights on challenging the 2021 Cardinals’ 17-game winning streak, the longest this decade.