The Milwaukee Brewers had their backs against the wall, needing a win to stave off elimination and yet another first round playoff exit against the Mets. Their mantra all season has been "undaunted" but there were a lot of reasons to be daunted here.
Not for Jackson Chourio and not for Garrett Mitchell.
After the Mets took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Jackson Chourio got the Brewers started with a leadoff home run. It's the second time in franchise history that a Brewers player has led off a postseason game with a home run (Corey Hart, 2011).
But then the Brewers fell behind the next inning and were behind all the way until the 8th. The offense was sputtering and was once again in need of a spark, down one with just six outs to go and the top of the order coming up in Chourio. The moment felt perfect.
Jackson Chourio and Garrett Mitchell lead Brewers to incredible comeback playoff victory
Chourio lifted a 1-1 cutter up in the zone out to right field and into the second deck for a game-tying home run, his second of the game. Chourio is only the second player 20 years old or younger to have a multi-homer postseason game, joining only Andruw Jones.
"Yeah, that's pretty special" Pat Murphy said.
"I think the adrenaline is still getting to me. I think I still feel the adrenaline there. It was a very special moment for me and it's one I'm going to look back on and remember for the rest of my life" Chourio said postgame.
But the Brewers still had more work to do and one of their young players came through once again.
With two outs and a man on, Garrett Mitchell stepped to the plate. Mitchell entered the game in the 6th to pinch run for Gary Sanchez. Mitchell was caught stealing second base in a huge momentum killer. He was up for his first at-bat and he did not miss his chance to make up for his caught stealing.
Mitchell jumped all over a first pitch curveball from Phil Maton and it carried just far enough over the fence in right-center for a go-ahead two run homer. Everyone erupted. Mitchell turned back toward the dugout and rounded first, fired up.
"So I think just like at that point it was just wanting to celebrate with them. It was like throwing your hands up running around the bases. are in it with us and we're going to continue to need their support tomorrow and have a packed house. So hopefully they bring it again" Mitchell said.
The performances of Chourio and Mitchell saved the Brewers season, at least for one more day. They'll need to win Game 3 to advance and exorcise the demons of the first round playoff exit. Their backs are still against the wall but they live to fight another day with monster performances from their superstar of the present and future in Jackson Chourio and another star in the making in Garrett Mitchell.