Inspired by Brewers' new tortoise, Mitchell drives in all 5 runs in Game 1 win

KANSAS CITY -- The Brewers got a jolt of energy Saturday morning when a pet tortoise named Bobby Jr. was delivered to their clubhouse. Then, center fielder Garrett Mitchell picked up where the tortoise left off, taking that energy to another level with five RBIs over a three-inning span to boost Milwaukee to a 5-2 victory over the Royals in the first game of a split doubleheader.

In their first road test of 2026, the Brewers aced it. While Mitchell provided the early offense with a two-run double in the first and a three-run homer in the third, starter Chad Patrick came through with five scoreless innings and lowered his ERA through two outings to 0.96.

Mitchell, who had a creditable five RBIs through the five games he played on Milwaukee’s first homestand, quickly doubled that total against Royals starter Luinder Avila while staking the Brewers to a 5-0 lead.

And so, the tortoise had plenty to celebrate.

The Brewers would do well to remember that in the Aesop fable “The Tortoise and the Hare,” the key line was “slow and steady wins the race.” Milwaukee showed that it intends to be steady on the road again after leading the Major Leagues with a 45-36 road record last season.

The Royals nicked Aaron Ashby for a couple of runs in the seventh and threatened in the ninth, but the back of the bullpen was solid as Milwaukee improved to 6-1 and dropped Kansas City to 3-4.

Mitchell came into the road opener still trying to identify where he is offensively after an injury-ravaged 2025 season.

“I wouldn’t say it was good or bad,” Mitchell said, reflecting on the six-game homestand to begin this season. “Just trying to put together some quality at-bats, and I found some holes at home. You love extra-base hits and homers, but that’s not what I was trying to do today. Just trying to pass it on to the next guy. I was happy to see [the double and homer] get down.”

Brewers manager Pat Murphy credited Milwaukee's front office for its belief that Mitchell could be a big factor early this season.

“The front office was adamant this guy could be our best player in a lot of ways,” Murphy said. “It’s really the front office that convinced me this was right for our team. He has done OK so far. Today was a showcase for what he can do.”

The Brewers' defense helped Patrick get out of a two-on dilemma in the second inning. With runners at first and third and two outs, the Royals attempted a double steal. But the Brewers' defense responded nicely with catcher William Contreras making a firm throw to second as Jac Caglianone broke off third. Second baseman Brice Turang made a perfect return throw home to get Caglianone.

“Perfect execution by both people,” Murphy said. “Two guys who have been through it.”

Patrick struggled with his command, but kept Kansas City off the scoreboard by making big pitches at the right time. He worked around traffic in the third and fourth innings as well before delivering a clean fifth to end his outing with a flourish.

“I was grinding,” Patrick said. “Couldn’t really find the zone and I was always down in the count today. But I competed and made pitches when I had to.”

All in all, it was a performance that even a tortoise could enjoy.

“Bobby’s the MVP,” Mitchell joked. “He’s keeping the vibes good in the clubhouse.”