Joey Ortiz finally broke out of his slump in a big way, launching his first home run in nearly 10 months to help the Milwaukee Brewers extend their winning streak to five games with a 6-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.
The Brewers' third baseman, who came into the game hitting just .181 with a .193 slugging percentage, sent a 395-foot blast to left-center field off Padres starter Matt Waldron in the third inning. That solo shot—his first since July 19 of last season—was a long-awaited breakthrough for Ortiz, who had been stuck on just one extra-base hit all season entering the night.
But Ortiz wasn't done. During Milwaukee's explosive five-run fourth inning, he nearly added a grand slam to his highlight reel, but his deep drive to center field was caught at the warning track for a sacrifice fly. Still, it was enough to push the Brewers' lead to 6-2 and cap a rally that proved decisive.
Rookie right-hander Brandon Sproat was sharp in earning his first career victory, striking out six while allowing three runs over 5 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old showed poise in key moments, keeping the Padres' lineup off balance until the bullpen took over.
San Diego fought back late, with Miguel Andújar launching a solo home run in the sixth and adding an RBI double in the eighth that just eluded center fielder Garrett Mitchell's glove, cutting the deficit to 6-4. But closer Abner Uribe worked around a one-out walk in the ninth to notch his fourth save in five opportunities.
The game turned in the fourth when Sal Frelick delivered a bases-loaded single to plate two runs and put Milwaukee ahead for good at 3-2. David Hamilton followed with a bunt single, and after Waldron hesitated on the play, the bases were loaded again. Ortiz's sacrifice fly made it 4-2, and Brice Turang capped the rally with a ground-ball double just inside the left-field line to drive in two more.
Waldron struggled through 2 2/3 innings, allowing six runs and eight hits, while the Padres used Bradgley Rodriguez for a scoreless first inning as an opener. San Diego was also without pitching coach Rubén Niebla, who missed the game due to a family matter and is expected to return for Thursday's series finale.
With the win, Milwaukee keeps rolling, showing the kind of timely hitting and resilient pitching that could make them a dangerous team as the season heats up.