Crew pours on 7 runs in front of the greatest hitter who ever lived (virtually!)
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MILWAUKEE -- Perhaps it was the power of Pablo Sanchez that fueled the Brewers’ second-biggest inning all season, on a night they made it look as easy as playing a video game.
Once a giant, inflatable version of the Backyard Baseball video game superstar -- also known by his nickname "Secret Weapon" -- took a seat in the front row next to the Brewers' dugout in the bottom of the second inning, they rallied for seven runs against Giants starter Landen Roupp en route to a 16-2 win on Monday at American Family Field.
By night’s end, a Giants infielder -- Buddy Kennedy, just called up from the Minors on Monday afternoon -- was pitching for the visitors, and the home team had a season high for hits (with 18) and runs. Their previous season high for runs was 14, on Opening Day against the White Sox.
It all started in the second, Milwaukee’s highest-scoring inning since an eight-run sixth against the D-backs on April 28. Jake Bauers started it all when he challenged a called Strike 3 in a full count leading off the inning and won, leading to a walk. The Brewers were off to the races.
Sal Frelick cashed in with an RBI double, then Luis Rengifo tied the game with a run-scoring single.
And the Brewers kept going. Jackson Chourio, who’d missed catching Matt Chapman’s two-run home run by mere inches in center field in the top of that inning, got those runs back with a two-run double. Then Brice Turang hit a two-run triple on a deep drive that caromed off the angled part of the center-field wall and had fans thinking about an inside-the-park home run.
Turang didn’t stay at third for long, because William Contreras hit a sacrifice fly to make it a seven-run inning and a 7-2 Brewers lead.
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It was around that time that Pablo had to go. As he was led up the aisle toward the concourse, the Brewers' rally fizzled. Bauers made the final out, but there were plenty more hits and runs to come.
Why was there a giant Pablo Sanchez mascot in the ballpark in the first place? He was there promoting the Brewers’ Backyard Baseball Night at the ballpark on Wednesday. Fans who purchase the special ticket package will get a Pablo bobblehead to take home.
Tickets are available at Brewers.com/ThemeNights.