Braun's slam propels Brewers to postseason

CINCINNATI -- What was it that Ryan Braun was saying about still being the man in big moments?

Ten days after his ninth-inning grand slam in St. Louis produced the victory most representative of the Brewers’ shocking September surge, he hit another in the first inning at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday with Milwaukee bidding to punch its ticket to a second straight postseason.

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Two pitches later, Eric Thames hit another homer, and it became a six-run opening inning against Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle in a 9-2 win that punched the Brewers’ ticket to the postseason.

“I feel so fortunate to be part of so many big moments in playoff-clinching games,” Braun said. “When you’re able to put a four- or five-spot on the board in the first inning, it lets everybody relax. It takes some of the pressure off. It’s just such a special moment.”

When Braun arrived in the big leagues in 2007, Milwaukee was stuck in a postseason drought that dated all the way back to 1982, when Robin Yount and Paul Molitor were in their primes for the power-hitting Brewers. It was Braun who hit the home run that ended that drought in the '08 regular-season finale, and Braun who hit the home run in the '11 win that clinched the franchise’s first division title in 29 years. And last season, it was Braun who delivered a pair of multihomer games during Milwaukee's eight-game winning streak to finish the regular season and win the division again.

Now it is Braun again, first in St. Louis and then Wednesday night at his favorite road venue. The grand slam was his 28th home run at Great American Ball Park, most all-time by a visiting player. Lance Berkman is second with 23.

"The Cardinals grand slam was truly epic. That was an impossible situation,” Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said. “This, I was just hoping for a sac fly. I should have been saying, ‘This guy can hit a grand slam.’ Look, when he feels good, the guy is still one of the best hitters in baseball.”

Braun said as much after that slam in St. Louis, when he quipped, “I’m definitely not as good as I was, but in big moments, I’m the guy, still. I still want that opportunity.”

On Wednesday in another big moment, Braun delivered again. He’s been part of Milwaukee's last four postseason teams, and he has hit a go-ahead home run in three of the four clinchers.

“I’m not surprised, I’m really not,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “Part of the plan for me with Ryan was, ‘Let’s get him healthy to the end of the season when he can really impact us.’ I thought he would if we could get him there in a good spot. It’s one thing that I thought was going right all season long. I thought he was in a really good place most of the year. And it’s paying some dividends right now.”

Braun is hitting .284/.342/.504 this season with 22 home runs. He has topped 500 plate appearances for the first time since 2016, and his 143 games played marks his highest total since '12. There have been days Braun's surgically repaired back requires a rest, but they have been kept to a minimum.

In seizing that opportunity again after Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas walked and Keston Hiura loaded the bases with a single, Braun fueled the Brewers’ biggest opening inning all season. The last time they scored at least six runs in the first was Aug. 4, 2018, against the Rockies.

“I said it earlier, this group really epitomizes what it is to be a team,” Braun said. “We’ve had so many guys contribute. There’s nothing more enjoyable than getting to celebrate with your teammates.”