Milwaukee Brewers, Bryse Wilson, Corbin Burnes, Joey Ortiz
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes (39) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 3-1 on Saturday afternoon to improve to 41-29 on the season. They now have a six-and-a-half game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the National League Central Division. The Reds are now seven games back while the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates are both seven-and-a-half games back.
The excitement of the Brewers’ win was accentuated by the appearance and play-by-play commentary of hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch. As fun as that was for the players, fans, and broadcasters, it was the play of rookie third baseman Joey Ortiz and the team’s stellar pitching are what got the team back in the win column.
Milwaukee Brewers Third Baseman Joey Ortiz Hit a Three-Run Home Run to Lead the Offense
Milwaukee Brewers, Joey Ortiz
Jun 15, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third base Joey Ortiz (3) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee struggled to get base hits against Reds pitching a day after struggling to hit with runners in scoring position. On Saturday, they accumulated only four hits, and two of them came off of the bat of Christian Yelich. The biggest hit of day, for both teams, was a three-run home run by reigning National League Rookie of the Month Joey Ortiz:
The blast was Ortiz’s sixth of the year and was his only hit in four at-bats from the leadoff spot.
On the season, Ortiz is hitting .281/.381/.472 with those six home runs and 27 RBI.
Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher Bryse Wilson Says the Baltimore Orioles Made a Mistake Trading Joey Ortiz for Corbin Burnes
Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers News, Brewers Game, Joey Ortiz, Brewers vs Reds
Jun 15, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third base Joey Ortiz (3) celebrates with Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames (27) after hitting home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
As Brewers fans know, Ortiz was originally drafted and developed by the Baltimore Orioles. Before Spring Training began, the Orioles sent Ortiz and left-handed pitcher DL Hall to Milwaukee for 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes.
The trade has worked out well for the Orioles this season, as Burnes is 7-2 with a 2.08 ERA in 14 starts. That being said, they only have him under contract for this year. After the 2024 season ends, he will become an unrestricted free agent and will be able to sign anywhere.
Ortiz, on the other hand, is under club control with the Brewers until 2029.
Bryse Wilson, who got the win after pitching five-and-one-thirds innings, told reporters after the game that he thinks that the Orioles made a mistake by sending Ortiz to Milwaukee:
“I mean, what’s not to like [about Joey Ortiz]? The guy is hitting like .290, got a lot of power, saw some good exit [velocity]. I feel like when he came over, the big thing was the defense, and we’ve seen the defense.
“And I think the Orioles messed up. I’m not going to lie to ya. Obviously, they get Corbin, but that’s a generational player right there. He hits, he plays elite defense, and it’s awesome to have him behind us. And he plays everywhere.”
Wilson mentioned Ortiz’s batting average as .290. This is because the third baseman is hitting .289 with five home runs and 19 RBI since May 1.