The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to right-hander Joe Ross in an effort to continue their perfect start when they host the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday in the finale of a short two-game series.
In their home opener on Tuesday, the Brewers improved to 4-0 with a 3-2 victory over the Twins.
It’s the first time since 2006 that Milwaukee has opened with four consecutive victories and just the fourth time in franchise history, including the 1987 team that won 13 straight to start the season.
Ross, making his Brewers debut, will be opposed by Twins right-hander Chris Paddack.
Ross will make his first major league appearance since Aug. 10, 2021, when he was with the Washington Nationals. He underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2022 and returned last August to pitch in eight minor league games for the San Francisco Giants.
Paddack, who also had Tommy John surgery in 2022, will make his first start since May 8, 2022. He returned last season to make two relief appearances for the Twins in late September. Paddack then pitched twice in relief against Houston in the playoffs, allowing just one hit in 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
Paddack is 0-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three career starts vs. Milwaukee.
Christian Yelich, dropped to third in the lineup under new manager Pat Murphy after batting leadoff most of the past three seasons, had his second homer for the Brewers on Tuesday.
Brice Turang, who hit .218 last season as a rookie, had an RBI double, along with a single and walk, to raise his average to .500 (7-for-14). He also stole two bases, giving him six for the season — the most ever by a Brewers player through four games.
“He’s still a long way away from how good he’s going to be,” Murphy said of Turang. “He’s really confident. A great defender and confident player right now. Getting his hits, not trying to do too much.”
With closer Devin Williams on the injured list with two stress fractures in his back, Abner Uribe has stepped into the role and notched his third save in three chances Tuesday against the Twins.
“I enjoy it. I live for it; it’s what I get ready for,” Uribe said through a translator. “I love the moment, and it’s what I prepare for is to go out there and shut the game down.”
After scoring nine runs on 17 hits to open the season with two victories, the Twins have just two runs on seven hits while losing their past two games.
Minnesota was blanked 11-0 at Kansas City on Sunday, then scored its only runs on sacrifice flies against the Brewers on Tuesday.
“With the way that we play sometimes and early in the season, and the way that they play, it’s not surprising to see a good, well-pitched, low-scoring game right there,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “But when we do hit the ball on the barrel, we want to get something out of it. Overall, I think we could have had better at-bats.”
–Field Level Media