The Milwaukee Brewers matched their franchise record with a 13th consecutive win Friday night, staging a remarkable comeback inspired by the memory of legendary announcer Bob Uecker.
After falling behind by seven runs in the first two innings, the Brewers scored nine unanswered runs to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 10-8. The victory ties the club’s record for consecutive wins, set at the start of the 1987 season.
Christian Yelich powered the rally with a spectacular performance, recording four hits, five RBIs, and two home runs. He accomplished the feat while using a custom bat honoring Uecker, the team’s beloved broadcaster for over 50 years, who passed away in January at age 90.
Despite an early 8-1 deficit, Yelich remained confident, telling manager Pat Murphy they would win.
“I knew we weren’t going to get our doors blown off,” Yelich said. “We’re going to find a way to get our way back into that thing. We just got a roomful of fighters and guys who just don’t care what the scoreboard says.”
Murphy echoed the sentiment that Uecker’s spirit was with the team. “Somehow, it seems like he’s watching over us,” he said. “He was definitely here tonight. Yelly proved it. Special.”
Yelich, who had planned to use the tribute bat last season before back surgery postponed the event, homered in his first at-bat and decided to use it for the remainder of the game.
The win solidifies Milwaukee’s position atop Major League Baseball with a 77-44 record and extends their lead in the National League Central to nine games over the Chicago Cubs.
According to ESPN Research, the Brewers are the first MLB team in 94 years to extend a double-digit winning streak with a comeback victory of seven or more runs.
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