MILWAUKEE: Another brief start for Freddy Peralta meant more experience for post-season relief reliever Aaron Ashby.
Ashby, the No. 8 Brewers, according to MLB Pipeline, delivered two unsuccessful innings, after Peralta worked with little help from his defense in Milwaukee’s 4-3 win over the Phillies on Wednesday at American Family Field.
It was a win that lifted the Brewers 31 games above 500 to match the franchise record set in 1982. And, with the Reds ’10-game losing streak to the Cubs at Wrigley Field, it reduced Milwaukee’s magic number to 10 to get the National. Central League.
“We know it’s in our hands right now,” said Craig Counsell, beer manager. “You work so hard to build that potential and it’s in our hands. That’s how you see it. Take care of our business. We’ve won it.”
Eduardo Escobar provided the winning run with his first day at home since August 2, as the Brewers saved a game that Ashby helped put back in order. The Phillies tied the game during a third inning of two runs that featured a couple of defensive errors from field fielder Luis Urías and as a result, Peralta only had 11 starts to show for 81 pitches in his second start from the list of 10 injured days. He was charged with three runs (one win) in four hits in 3 2/3 innings, with a walk and four strikeouts.
Brent Suter made it to the final of the fourth inning after Peralta reached his throwing limit before Ashby passed two more good innings, allowing only to walk up to Bryce Harper in his second inning. Ashby cleared Harper causing a double play by JT Realmuto, one of Ashby’s four ground balls induced on six batters.
It’s been quite a change for the 23-year-old left-hander since making his Major League debut against the Cubs on June 30, when Ashby started and allowed seven runs (four wins) in four hits and three outings while recording only two exits.
In six appearances since then, including three one-off starts and three first-round outings, Ashby has limited the damage to four runs won in 19 1/3 innings by an ERA of 1.86. He has 18 strikes against four runs in this period.
“A lot of good things come to him, I can tell,” Peralta said. “For me, he will help the team the rest of the season and probably also in the playoffs.”
The brewers are preparing Ashby for this.
“Aaron did a great job,” Counsell said. “We try to throw something different at Aaron every time and he’s handling it really well.”
What did Counsell mean by that?
“We took a look at him when he’s going to pitch, and today it’s been,‘ You can pitch, maybe not. You are in the bullring, get ready to start, ”said Counsell.
And he added: “If we put ourselves in the hands of all the situations we hope to get into, we will not be able to guide him at all. It will be, ‘Get ready and get into the game.'”
There is an organizational precedent for Ashby to be in line to take a place on the postseason roster. The Brewers used Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta in relief in 2018, when they had rising prospects and the team went all the way to Game 7 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers.
Woodruff and Burnes played especially prominent roles in this postseason despite their inexperience. Remember Woodruff’s run away from Clayton Kershaw in the first game? This came as he threw two goalless innings in relief from veteran starter Gio Gonzalez.
“It’s great to see him right now and what he’s doing for the team right now and for himself,” Peralta said. “It simply came to our notice then. He has a routine. ”
As for Peralta, he suggested Wednesday’s outing was better than his launch line said. He has pitched 53 and 81 pitches in his first two starts after minor shoulder inflammation.
“A big step,” he said. “Because I was out, now it’s a process to hit my seats almost every time. You know what I say? I felt so much better than last time and I feel strong. Right now for me, that’s all “And of course, winning the games when you throw.”
Counsell said: “I don’t think it’s closed, but I think it’s healthy, I don’t think there are any questions about it. I thought his speed was excellent today. I think we just have to keep making him rest regularly and make him a regular spin. We probably have four more left until the end, so we have the opportunity to do so and keep moving forward ”.