Shohei's Stubborn 3 Times On Base — But That First Inning Though…

Man, That First Inning Though…

Ugh, this was the worst kind to watch. Away game in Milwaukee, and right out of the gate in the bottom of the first, Contreras absolutely crushed one and that pretty much sealed it. 107.2 mph, 29° launch angle, 410 ft — that ball was flat-out perfect. Things unraveled from the leadoff guy, then Frelick's sac fly, then Bauers doubled in the next inning to make it 0-5. By the time the 2nd inning was over we're staring at that score — are you kidding me…

Even So, Shohei Did His Thing

This is where Shohei comes through. Top of the 1st, leading off — he didn't even go to a full count, just calmly laid off pitches 4 and 5 and drew the walk. That plate discipline, man, you can just sit back and trust it. "Alright, here we go Shohei!" — and then that bottom of the 1st happened, which made it sting even more…

That hit in the top of the 4th was a beauty too. Down in the count with two strikes, takes a 94 mph fastball, then puts the changeup on a line into right-center at 99.4 mph. Ninety-nine-point-four off the bat?! That reaction after getting down in the count — he's just on another level, I'm telling ya.

The 5th, oof… got completely fooled by the changeup and struck out. Down 0-5 with runners on, that one hurt — but you gotta flip the page, flip the page.

That 7th-Inning Sac Fly — That's the Fight

Top of the 7th, the guy kept pumping 97 mph sinkers, and Shohei got under one and lifted it to left-center at a 45° angle for the sac fly. The second that run scored I yelled "YEAH BABY!" all by myself. Carried it 288 ft, so he flat-out drove it to the outfield — THIS is what I'm talking about. He flew out to end his day in the 9th, looked like that 95.3 mph just got in on him a bit. But still — 3 times on base and an RBI today — Shohei did his job.

1-5 in the End, Just Frustrating

Looking at the team picture, that 4-run first inning was the whole ballgame. Rojas, Betts, Freeman — none of them could string anything together, and Milwaukee's lineup just outplayed us today.

But hey — even down 5, Shohei put a run on the board and kept making you think "one more swing and we're back in this." Losses sting, but no use dragging it around. Tomorrow! Tomorrow's the day! Getting to see that 99.4 mph laser from Shohei alone makes today worth it. Grabbing another beer and calling it a night.