Jackson Chourio had already helped Milwaukee come from behind once in this series. Sunday, he saved the Brewers until the very last swing.
Trailing 3-2 in the ninth, Milwaukee loaded the bases against Padres closer Mason Miller, who was trying to record the final six outs. Christian Yelich and Sal Frelick drew one-out walks; after Andrew Vaughn flew out, pinch-hitter Gary Sánchez walked to bring Chourio to the plate with two outs.
Chourio lined a 2-2 fastball up the middle, past second baseman Jake Cronenworth’s diving try. Yelich and Frelick scored, turning the deficit into a 4-3 walk-off win and giving the Brewers a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series.
The comeback capped a tense afternoon at American Family Field. San Diego led 2-0 after Michael King retired Milwaukee’s first 14 batters. The Brewers broke through in the fifth, then kept chasing: the Padres restored their two-run cushion before Milwaukee trimmed it to one. The Brewers never led until Chourio’s hit.
Miller had retired Milwaukee in order in the eighth, but the ninth became a test of command. The three walks loaded the bases, and Chourio made San Diego pay. He also delivered a key hit in Milwaukee’s Game 1 comeback, making the young outfielder central to both narrow victories.
The Brewers now head to San Diego needing one more win to advance. The Padres, who won both games of their Wild Card Series at home, face elimination in Game 3 on Tuesday. After two games decided by a run, Milwaukee has the cushion; San Diego has little room left for another late twist.