The Milwaukee Brewers initiated the first half of their season with a resounding 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, fueled by newcomer Andrew Vaughn's memorable debut and a strong pitching performance from Freddy Peralta. Vaughn, recently acquired from the White Sox, marked his first at-bat in a Brewers uniform with a three-run home run. Peralta, celebrating his All-Star Game selection, contributed six shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out seven.
The Brewers' offense exploded in the first inning, highlighted by Vaughn's three-run blast off Dodgers' All-Star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yamamoto, who was named an All-Star just a day prior, struggled mightily, lasting only two outs and surrendering five runs. Sal Frelick started the game with a leadoff double, followed by a walk to William Contreras. After two outs, Vaughn launched a hanging slider over the left-center field wall, making him the fifth player in Brewers' history to homer in his first plate appearance. Isaac Collins then singled, and Brice Turang walked, loading the bases again. A throwing error by Mookie Betts on a Caleb Durbin ground ball allowed two more runs to score, capping off a disastrous inning for Yamamoto.
Milwaukee extended their lead in the fifth inning with a two-out rally against Dodgers reliever Will Klein. Vaughn drew a walk, Collins singled, and Turang followed with a two-run single, increasing the score to 7-0. Christian Yelich added a two-run homer later in the game, further solidifying the Brewers' dominance.
Peralta's stellar performance on the mound was a key factor in the Brewers' victory. He exhibited command early and often, delivering one of his best outings of the year. Peralta allowed only one walk and scattered five hits, lowering his ERA to 2.74, which ranks among the best in the National League. He also recorded his tenth win of the season, joining the MLB's double-digit win club.
The Dodgers, currently leading the National League, have been struggling recently, losing their fourth consecutive game. Before this slide, they were on a 15-3 run but have since been outscored 38-7 in their last four games. Yamamoto's rough outing contributed to the Dodgers' woes, as he allowed four hits, one home run, and two walks without recording a strikeout.
Andrew Vaughn's arrival has provided a spark for the Brewers. Acquired in a trade with the White Sox for right-hander Aaron Civale, Vaughn had been working on his swing consistency in Triple-A Nashville. His debut home run was a testament to his progress and a promising sign for the Brewers moving forward. Vaughn replaced Rhys Hoskins on the roster, who was placed on the injured list with a sprained left thumb.
