Aaron Ashby is making history. The Milwaukee Brewers' reliever became the first pitcher in the majors to reach eight wins this season, and he did it in dramatic fashion Friday night.
With the Brewers trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning, a controversial interference call changed everything. Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang opened the frame with singles off Andrew Morris (1-2), putting runners on the corners. Turang then swiped second, setting the stage for a wild sequence.
William Contreras ripped a sharp grounder to shortstop Brooks Lee, who fired to third base. Royce Lewis tagged Chourio sliding back into the bag, and third base umpire Jordan Baker initially called him out. But after a crew huddle, the ruling was reversed. Lewis had blocked Chourio's path with his right foot, leaving the runner no way to reach the base safely.
The interference call allowed Chourio to score the tying run. Twins manager Derek Shelton stormed out to argue and was ejected by Baker—his third ejection of the season. The Brewers weren't done. Jake Bauers followed with a double, driving in Chourio to put Milwaukee ahead 3-2.
Ashby (8-0) entered in relief with the game tied 1-1 after Austin Martin's RBI single chased starter Coleman Crow. He pitched two innings, allowing Lewis' go-ahead single in the seventh before the Brewers' rally bailed him out. The 27-year-old has been dominant in 21 appearances this season, including one start, and is quickly becoming a key piece in Milwaukee's bullpen.
Trevor Megill closed the door with a perfect ninth inning against his former team, earning his fifth save. Minnesota couldn't mount a rally in the final two frames.
Crow, recalled from Triple-A Nashville, was solid in his spot start, allowing one run on three hits over five-plus innings. Joe Ryan matched him pitch for pitch, striking out seven over six innings while allowing just one run—a Contreras RBI single in the first.
Even the start time got an adjustment: the game moved up an hour to 6:10 p.m. to avoid conflicting with the Minnesota Timberwolves' NBA playoff game at the nearby Target Center.
The Brewers will send RHP Logan Henderson (0-1, 4.15 ERA) to the mound Saturday for his fourth start of the season. Minnesota counters with LHP Connor Prielipp (1-1, 3.32), a Wisconsin native making his fifth career start.