Brewers' bullpen cracks in Game 4 loss after Aaron Ashby breaks postseason scoreless relief mark

By ROB MAADDI, AP

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Just three outs from winning the first World Series title in franchise history, the Milwaukee Brewers' bullpen finally faltered.

Left-hander Aaron Ashby retired all seven batters he faced in Game 4 against Tampa Bay and broke Andrew Miller's record for scoreless innings by a reliever in one postseason. But manager Pat Murphy pulled Ashby with one out in the 11th.

Murphy had used six pitchers already and turned to Antonio Senzatela, who got two outs to finish that inning. The right-hander began the 12th with a one-run lead after rookie Cooper Pratt put the Brewers ahead 3-2 with a solo homer.

However, third baseman Joey Ortiz made a throwing error on Junior Caminero’s leadoff grounder, and that proved costly.

Rookie left-hander Shane Drohan entered and allowed four straight singles to Liam Hicks, Jonny DeLuca, Chandler Simpson and pinch-hitter Ben Williamson as the Rays avoided a sweep with a 4-3 victory Tuesday night.

“I’m human. I knew what I was walking into. I just didn’t do the job there,” said Drohan, who hadn't pitched since Oct. 15 against the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

Drohan made 19 starts in 33 apperances and posted a 4.19 ERA during the regular season.

“We thought Drohan could come in and face the lefties there,” Murphy said. “It seems like the ball was up a little bit. It was a little flat, but we learned from it. ... If the first guy hits a groundball, double play, we’re not even talking about it. He threw strikes. Give him some credit, it was a tough situation. But we’re in the 12th inning and we’re drained a little bit."

Ortiz, one of the team's best fielders, took the blame for his error after entering the game as a substitution because Murphy removed David Hamilton for a pinch hitter.

“I've got to make that play. Just no excuse about it, no matter what anyone says,” Ortiz said.

At least the Brewers can turn to ace Jacob Misiorowski in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Their relievers have allowed nine earned runs over 61 2/3 postseason innings.

Ashby passed Miller with a 1-2-3 ninth, followed with a perfect 10th, retired the first batter in the bottom of the 11th and left the game not having allowed a run in 18 innings over nine postseason appearances.

“One of those cool things, I guess, but more so that loss stings,” Ashby said. “It’s part of our story and I think the boys are fired up to get back in here tomorrow.”

Said Brewers captain Christian Yelich: “He’s been awesome for us. He loves the ball. I'm sure he would've kept pitching.”

Ashby pitched the final three innings to close out an NLCS sweep of the Dodgers on Oct. 15, and got five outs in both Games 1 and 2 against the Rays.

“He was disappointed he was coming out but I said, ‘We’ve got to be mindful of your health, and we’ve got to be mindful of winning the whole thing,’” Murphy said. “`If you’re going to win the whole thing, you have to understand that we can’t drain you today or risk injury today.' He’s thrown a lot. Luckily, we got out of that situation, and it didn’t hurt us.”

Ashby, who was 13-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 71 relief appearances during the season, has been untouchable in October. He's allowed five hits, walked three and has 20 strikeouts.

Miller had the longest streak of consecutive scoreless relief innings within one postseason with 16 in 2016 for Cleveland. Including the regular season, Ashby has thrown a career-best 22 2/3 straight scoreless innings.

Ashby had struggled in the postseason before this one. He allowed nine runs — eight earned — in 9 1/3 playoff innings over 10 appearances in 2021, 2024 and 2025.

Ashby's fastball reached 99 mph but his velocity went down as he accumulated 31 pitches.

“The velo was down quite a bit,” Murphy said. “We can tell when Ashby’s ball doesn’t have the same movement and the same finish. So it was time (to take him out).”

Ashby understood the decision.

“I think I had an idea of why he was coming out,” Ashby said, referring to his velocity. "I feel good, but probably a part of throwing a lot of innings. Felt good to keep going but we have more games now, try and recover as well as I can tonight and be ready to go as soon as possible.”

Brewers closer Trevor Megill struck out the only batter he faced to end the eighth. He should be available in Game 5.

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