Misiorowski Blanks Pirates Over Five Innings as Brewers Secure Fourth Consecutive NL Central Crown

PITTSBURGH — Jacob Misiorowski recorded seven strikeouts across five scoreless innings as the Brewers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Tuesday night to secure their fourth consecutive National League Central championship.

Roughly 50 minutes after the final out, Milwaukee confirmed the division title when the second-place Chicago Cubs fell to Atlanta. Brewers players monitored the conclusion on television, celebrating with raised fists as the final out registered.

The hard-throwing Misiorowski (15-5) lowered his ERA to a league-best 1.89 and increased his strikeout total to 243. Nine of his first 10 pitches exceeded 100 mph, and he navigated around five hits — all singles — to capture his fourth consecutive decision.

Joey Ortiz and Luis Lara each drove in two runs for Milwaukee, a club that has become a postseason regular over the past decade but continues to chase its first World Series berth since 1982. After being swept by Los Angeles in last season’s NL Championship Series, the Brewers have reached the postseason eight times in nine years.

Milwaukee jumped early against starter Lake Bachar (1-4) in a sequence that encapsulates the approach sustaining the league’s best record for much of the campaign. Jake Bauers opened with a single, advanced on a groundout, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Lara’s sacrifice fly.

That was enough for Misiorowski, who left after throwing 82 pitches — 43 at 100 mph or above — bolstering his case for his first Cy Young Award.

Brandon Lowe launched his 30th homer for Pittsburgh, bringing the club’s seasonal total to 171 and tying a franchise record established in 1999. Rafael Flores Jr. contributed four hits, while the Pirates dropped below .500 at 75-76 on a day honoring franchise icon Roberto Clemente, as the team wore the legendary outfielder’s No. 21.

Up next

The series resumes Wednesday with Logan Henderson (10-3, 2.34 ERA) starting for Milwaukee against Pittsburgh’s Jared Jones (4-6, 4.10 ERA).

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