In a 7-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night, the Milwaukee Brewers extended their winning streak to 10 games, thanks in part to an unexpected play from one of their premier power hitters.
First baseman Andrew Vaughn, who has established himself as a run producer with seven home runs and a .626 slugging percentage since joining the team, demonstrated his versatility in the fourth inning. With the Brewers leading 6-1 and runners on second and third, Vaughn executed a perfect squeeze bunt to score Isaac Collins from third. It was the first official bunt attempt of Vaughn’s major league career.
Manager Pat Murphy noted there was some confusion about whether the bunt sign was actually given, but the play succeeded regardless. “He wants to be part of the party,” Murphy said, alluding to the team’s league-leading 20 bunt hits. “He knows we bunt. He told me yesterday, ‘I can bunt.’ He thought he got the sign, so he bunted.”
Vaughn, who confirmed he regularly practices bunting, embraced the opportunity. “It was just a good situation to have that happen, and it worked out,” he said. “Trying to do anything I can to help the team win.”
The victory marked Milwaukee’s second double-digit winning streak this season, a feat last accomplished by the 2019 Houston Astros. The win improved their record to 74-44, placing them 30 games over .500 for the first time since 2021 and giving them the best record in baseball. The Brewers also boast the majors’ top run differential at +138.
Despite the impressive run, players and management remain focused on the bigger picture.
“Nobody cares about the streaks,” said Christian Yelich, who hit his 22nd home run of the season in the third inning. “We have bigger goals than winning 74 games. That’s great, but that wasn’t our goal coming into the season. We just have to stay present.”
Murphy echoed that sentiment. “There’s no reason with 40-plus games left that you can’t show up for ’em all,” he said. “I don’t want to think about streaks or numbers.”
In another example of unconventional contributions, rookie Caleb Durbin was hit by a pitch twice in the game, moving him into a tie for the National League lead with 17. He is nearing the Brewers’ single-season franchise record of 25, jointly held by Fernando Viña (1998) and Rickie Weeks (2010).
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