Quinn Priester delivered a stellar performance on Saturday, pitching seven shutout innings and allowing only one hit as the Milwaukee Brewers blanked the Colorado Rockies 5-0. Priester's gem led the Brewers to their fourth straight win and their 11th in the last 14 games.
Priester (6-2) achieved a career-high 11 strikeouts while walking only two batters in his 95-pitch outing. The lone hit he surrendered was a single to Michael Toglia with one out in the fifth inning. He allowed just three Rockies batters to reach base throughout his dominant performance. Aaron Ashby and DL Hall completed the one-hitter.
"I credit the kid more than anyone but our pitching staff, pitching coaches, and the players on the staff that have embraced this guy and allowed him to grow, they've done an unbelievable job," said manager Pat Murphy.
Priester also contributed defensively, making a barehanded catch on a popped-up bunt by Jordan Beck to lead off the fourth inning. He followed that by fielding a comebacker and striking out Ryan McMahon to end the inning.
The Brewers' offense provided Priester with an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning. Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich singled, and William Contreras walked to load the bases. Brice Turang then hit an infield single to drive in the first run, and Rhys Hoskins followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.
Milwaukee added two more runs in the fourth when Caleb Durbin led off with a single, and Joey Ortiz followed with his fifth home run of the season. The Brewers scored their final run in the fifth when Contreras and Turang hit back-to-back doubles. Turang had three hits and two RBIs, while Chourio and Durbin each added two hits. Ortiz homered for the third time in four games.
Antonio Senzatela (4-9) took the loss for the Rockies, allowing five runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. Michael Toglia's single was the only hit for the Rockies, who have struggled mightily this season and are on pace to set a modern-era record for losses. The shutout was their ninth of the season, and they have lost eight of their last nine games.
The Brewers' acquisition of Priester back on April 7th, sending Yophery Rodriguez, John Holobetz, and the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft to the Red Sox, was initially viewed as a project. At that point, Priester had a career 6.23 ERA. However, he has made remarkable strides in his development, lowering his season ERA to 3.35. Since May 2nd, Priester has a 2.30 ERA in 54.2 innings, with 44 strikeouts to 12 walks.
Brice Turang has been a key contributor to the Brewers' offense. Over his last 11 games, he is batting .306 with four doubles, four RBIs, eight runs scored, and two stolen bases.