MILWAUKEE (AP) — In a thrilling showdown at American Family Field, the Milwaukee Brewers celebrated a 5-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night, April 18, 2025. The game was highlighted by standout performances from Christian Yelich and rookie Caleb Durbin, who made his major league debut.
Christian Yelich, the Brewers' seasoned slugger, drove in three runs, showcasing his ability to deliver when it matters most. Meanwhile, Durbin, who was recalled from Class AAA Nashville earlier that day, made an immediate impact, going 2 for 4 at the plate and scoring a run.
Freddy Peralta took the mound for the Brewers and delivered a strong performance, pitching five shutout innings while allowing seven hits and striking out five. His efforts improved his season record to 2-1.
The Brewers struck first in the fourth inning when Jackson Chourio hit an RBI double, followed by a single from Yelich that put Milwaukee ahead 2-0. The momentum continued in the fifth inning as Brice Turang, after a two-out single, stole second base and scored on another base hit from Yelich, extending the lead to 3-0.
The Athletics, however, weren't ready to back down. In the sixth inning, JJ Bleday drew a walk off Brewers reliever Nick Mears and scored on a forceout by Gio Urshela, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
Caleb Durbin's debut was marked by a series of impressive plays. Leading off the seventh inning, he blooped a single to short left field, showcasing his speed and determination. Following his hit, Durbin and Turang executed a double steal, a play that highlighted Durbin's athleticism as he slid head-first into third base.
Yelich drove in Durbin with a groundout, and William Contreras added another run with a single that scored Turang, making it 5-1 in favor of the Brewers.
Despite the comfortable lead, the ninth inning proved to be tense. Bryan Hudson, who was tasked with closing the game, issued two walks and allowed an RBI double to Brent Rooker, bringing MLB home run leader Tyler Soderstrom to the plate as the tying run. With the game hanging in the balance, Trevor Megill was called in to secure the save. He managed to retire Soderstrom on a sacrifice fly and struck out Shea Langeliers, sealing the victory for Milwaukee.
"It was a great team win, and I’m proud of how we battled through the tough moments," Yelich said after the game. "Caleb showed a lot of poise for a rookie, and it’s exciting to see him contribute right away."
Durbin's journey to the majors was a notable one. He was acquired from the Yankees in the Devin Williams trade and had been eagerly awaiting his opportunity. His performance on Friday night certainly gave fans a glimpse of his potential.
The Brewers' victory marked their third consecutive win, a much-needed boost as they look to build momentum early in the season. They now hold a record of 10-7 and will look to continue their winning streak against the Athletics in the second game of the series.
Looking ahead, the Brewers will send rookie RHP Chad Patrick (1-0, 1.76 ERA) to the mound on Saturday night, while the Athletics will counter with RHP Luis Severino (0-3, 4.01 ERA). Both teams are eager to make their mark as the season progresses.
As the Brewers celebrate their victory, fans are left excited about the potential of their team, especially with young talent like Durbin stepping up in crucial moments. The energy at American Family Field was palpable, and the fans are hopeful for more thrilling performances in the games to come.
With the Brewers' offense firing on all cylinders and a solid pitching staff backing them up, the upcoming games promise to be exciting. Can they keep the winning streak alive? Only time will tell.
