In a thrilling Fourth of July showdown at loanDepot Park, the Milwaukee Brewers edged out the Miami Marlins 6-5, marking their 10th victory in their last 14 games and continuing a tightly contested series between these two National League teams. The game showcased a blend of clutch hitting, solid bullpen work, and gritty performances from both sides, keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout.
Milwaukee’s starting pitcher, Quinn Priester, took the mound for his 12th start of the season, entering with a respectable 3.35 ERA and 61 strikeouts over 78 innings. Priester had been especially impressive recently, boasting a 2.06 ERA over his last seven outings. However, on this night, the Marlins offense proved challenging. Priester allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits across 4 2/3 innings, including homers to Connor Norby and Otto Lopez. The Brewers’ young lefty also struggled with two critical throwing errors—one on a bunt by Jesús Sánchez and another by second baseman Brice Turang—that contributed to Miami's scoring and seemed to weigh on him mentally throughout the game.
“I felt like I was handling the game well, then definitely made a mistake there with overthrowing JB at first,” Priester admitted. “I kind of allowed that to stick with me longer than it should have. That’s something that we’re definitely going to go back and realize. That’s a fixable thing. That’s a mental part of the game that needs to get better, kind of a new experience for me there and I allowed that to kind of affect the rest of the game. That’s on me 100%.” Despite the rough outing, Priester exited with a solid 3.59 ERA, continuing to build on career highs in appearances and starts.
Taking over the mound in a pivotal moment was left-hander Aaron Ashby, who delivered a masterful relief performance. Ashby shut down the Marlins’ offense over 2 ⅓ perfect innings, striking out seven batters and showcasing a 99-mph sinker—the fastest pitch of the game. His 32-pitch outing was a key factor in preserving Milwaukee’s slim lead.
“He’s got to be at the top,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy praised. “Ashby was tremendous. The fact that he could face both lefties and righties. Some lefties, they’re just lefty specialist types. Ash can give you multiple innings, and he’s got plus stuff. We’ve seen it. He’s got the ability, and I think that’s the best role for him right now in his career.”
Ashby, whose season started late due to a right oblique strain, earned his first win of 2025, his first since August 31, 2024. “I think with anything, the more you do it the more comfortable you get with it,” Ashby said. “Happy with how the changeup’s coming along, slider. Everything feels good right now. The timing. Being comfortable with runners on base.”
The Brewers’ offense was led by Christian Yelich, who scored the decisive go-ahead run all the way from first base on a clutch double by Jackson Chourio in the eighth inning. Yelich, who leads Milwaukee with 17 home runs and 61 RBIs, has been on a hot streak, hitting safely in three consecutive games and ranking 23rd in home runs and 10th in RBIs across Major League Baseball.
Chourio, who tied Freddie Freeman for second place in the National League with his 23rd double, has been a consistent offensive force as well. Batting .254 with 14 home runs and 17 walks, Chourio entered the game on a three-game hitting streak and continues to be a vital cog in the Brewers’ lineup.
The Brewers jumped out early, with Caleb Durbin singling in a run in the third inning and scoring on a two-run single by Joey Ortiz to build a 5-2 lead. William Contreras contributed two hits and an RBI, while Durbin added two more hits, boosting his batting average to .257 with a .705 OPS. Milwaukee’s offense managed to push five runs against Miami’s ace Sandy Alcantara, who allowed five runs on five hits over six innings.
The Marlins, however, showed resilience. Otto Lopez hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning to tie the game at 5-5, and Jesús Sánchez’s triple and Lopez’s ninth home run kept the game competitive. Miami’s lineup featured Xavier Edwards, Jesús Sánchez, Otto Lopez, Agustín Ramírez, and Kyle Stowers, with Stowers leading the team with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs.
Despite a valiant effort, the Marlins fell just short. Cade Gibson (2-4) was tagged with the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. Trevor Megill closed the game for Milwaukee, earning his 19th save in 22 opportunities despite a late rally by Miami. Megill faced some pressure in the ninth, allowing a two-out single and a nine-pitch walk before striking out Otto Lopez to seal the victory.
This win prevented the Brewers from losing three straight games for the first time since early May and kept their momentum intact as they continue their road trip. Milwaukee currently holds a 48-39 record, while Miami sits at 39-46 but is surging with a recent 10-2 run in their last 12 games.
Looking ahead, the Brewers and Marlins are set to face off again on Saturday, July 5, at 4:10 p.m. ET at loanDepot Park. Milwaukee will send right-hander Chad Patrick (3-7, 3.51 ERA) to the mound against Miami’s Cal Quantrill (3-7, 5.42 ERA). Fans can catch the game on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin and Florida, as well as AM-620 WTMJ radio for Milwaukee listeners.
The series promises more exciting baseball as these teams battle for divisional positioning and playoff aspirations. With the Brewers’ powerful lineup and improving bullpen, and the Marlins’ surprising surge and fundamental play, the next games are sure to keep fans hooked.
Meanwhile, Robby Snelling, a promising 21-year-old lefty with a 0.90 ERA over his last three starts, might soon see a promotion to Triple-A, adding depth to the Brewers’ pitching staff. His recent performances have been outstanding, allowing only two runs across those starts, signaling his readiness for the next level.
As the summer stretch continues, both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths. The Brewers rely on their dynamic offense and emerging pitching talents, while the Marlins aim to maintain their hot streak and challenge their division rivals. Baseball fans are in for a captivating July as these clubs fight for every inch in the National League standings.
