Jacob Misiorowski Outduels Chris Sale in Brewers' 2-1 Victory Over Braves

Jacob Misiorowski (13-5) struck out six batters and allowed zero runs in six innings to lead the Milwaukee Brewers past the Atlanta Braves 2-1.

Jacob Misiorowski improved his record to 13-5 on Friday, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in front of a sellout crowd. The right-hander pitched six shutout innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out six batters. His opponent, 2024 NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale, fell to 12-9 after surrendering two runs across six innings of work. Misiorowski currently leads the major leagues with a 1.68 ERA and 216 strikeouts, while Sale ranks second in the majors with a 2.20 ERA.

During the 96-pitch performance, the Jacob Misiorowski fastball reached a peak velocity of 103.1 mph. While this was his only pitch to exceed 101.8 mph, he hit the 100 mph mark on 32 separate occasions. His pitch mix deviated from his season averages; he utilized his four-seam fastball 58% of the time (56 pitches) compared to his usual 64% rate. To compensate for what he described as a "down day" for his heater, he increased his slider usage to 23 offerings, nearly double his season average of 11%. The outing also included 14 cutters and three curveballs.

Sale Offers High Praise for Rookie Phenom

Following the contest, Chris Sale described Misiorowski’s heater as "probably the most impressive fastball I’ve ever seen," noting that the Brewers ace appears to be in a league of his own this year. This commendation held significant weight for Misiorowski, who grew up watching Sale and has interacted with him at the last two All-Star Games. Sale entered the matchup having allowed three runs or fewer in an MLB-leading 20 consecutive starts, yet he was outmatched by the rookie who solidified his position as the NL Cy Young Award favorite.

Brewers catcher William Contreras observed that while Misiorowski lacked his typical aggression with the fastball, his ability to utilize the slider against left-handed hitters kept Atlanta off balance. Braves manager Walt Weiss noted the difficulty of the matchup, stating that hitters were forced to gear up for 100 mph while simultaneously adjusting to high-level cutters and sliders. The defensive effort on both sides supported the pitching duel, highlighted by Braves shortstop Mauricio Dubón initiating an inning-ending double play with a diving stop.

Defensive Highlights and 'Air Lara'

Milwaukee outfielder Luis Lara played a pivotal role in maintaining the shutout during Misiorowski's tenure on the mound. In the sixth inning, Lara robbed Matt Olson of an extra-base hit with a leaping catch at the center-field wall. Later, in the eighth inning, Lara moved to right field and caught a 99.3 mph line drive from Dubón to strand three Atlanta runners. Misiorowski jokingly suggested the rookie should be nicknamed "Air Lara" during the postgame media session.

Lara’s night also included a baserunning lesson provided by Ronald Acuña Jr. The Brewers outfielder attempted to stretch a single into a double but was retired by a 92.3 mph throw from Acuña in right field. Despite the out, Lara maintained his admiration for the Braves star, whom he considers his favorite player. The high-stakes atmosphere mirrored a playoff game, defined by elite pitching and Statcast-verified defensive gems that preserved the narrow one-run margin for the home team.