Christian Yelich Adds Fireworks After 12 Pitch Walk From Bauers In Game 2

With a 1-0 NLCS lead, Christian Yelich stepped up with the bases loaded in Game 2, and Dodgers’ pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto hoped to end a frustrating inning.

“It just got to a certain point where it was straight compete mode,” Bauers said. “A little bit like a blackout, just kind of in the flow a little bit.”

“That changes the game,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said of Bauers’ at-bat. “I think it’s a turning point, I really do.” 

David Hamilton led off with a single to center. Jackson Chourio lined out to right before Hamilton stole second base. Afterward, Brice Turang walked after six pitches, and William Contreras flew out to center.

With two outs and the bases loaded, going up against a pitcher who gives hitters plenty to worry about. Before the game, Bauers identified the trap, trying to guess along with Yamamoto instead of simplifying the plan and trusting his eyes.

Just five pitches in, the count was full. Yamamoto would send seven more pitches.

“It was pretty clear he was trying to get in on me a little bit,” said Bauers. “It was a battle of not trying to do too much, don’t open up, let one come over the middle of the plate, if it comes, don’t miss it, if not, battle it out until you can take the walk.” 

From the Brewers’ dugout, Sal Frelick saw something encouraging in the foul balls. Bauers could cover both Yamamoto’s fastball up and in and his splitter down and away.

“He wasn’t cheating,” Frelick said. “He was seeing it well. When he’s doing that, you’re usually going to get a good result.” 

“I think I was trying to work on the edge of the zone, and some pitches it was really good, but he just stayed on it,” Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “He did a good job.” 

Finally, a curveball bounced for ball four. It matched the longest plate appearance of Bauers’ career and was the longest against Yamamoto in his MLB career. It was the 12th postseason walk of at least 12 pitches since pitch counts were first tracked in 1988.

Yelich watched the matchup unfold from the on-deck circle.

“The deeper the at-bat got, I knew he was getting on, whether it be by hit or walk, whatever it may be,” Yelich said. “You want to follow a great at-bat like that with a good at-bat.”

Two pitches later, he did. Yelich singled to center on Yamamoto’s 75th and final pitch, giving Milwaukee the lead. Yamamoto would be replaced by Alex Vesia to finish the 40-pitch inning. 

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hoped his starter could get through the tough inning and play through more innings. 

“They had much better at-bats than we did across the board top to bottom, and then they put the ball in play, created havoc. That’s what they do, and we didn’t do that,” Roberts said. “That’s the difference in the game.”

Bauers’ contribution just adds more to what he has done for the team this season, coming off the bench to play through a broken toe. His Game 2 assignment was to keep the team moving and head to Los Angeles with a 2-0 lead.

“I knew that was a moment where the guys needed something, the team needed something,” he said.

Seven minutes against Yamamoto sounded exhausting. To Bauers, it was something else.

“It was fun. It was a blast, honestly,” he said. “Any time you can get that locked in doing anything, it’s to me one of the most enjoyable experiences I think a human being can have.”