Joey Ortiz homers, drives in 4 runs, including winner in the 11th inning, as Brewers top Yankees 7-6

Milwaukee Brewers’ Joey Ortiz hits a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, April 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Joey Ortiz hit a run-scoring single in the 11th inning and finished with a homer and four RBIs to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 7-6 win over the New York Yankees on Friday night.

Owen Miller, inserted as a pinch runner for former Yankee Gary Sánchez at second to start the 11th inning, advanced to third on a fly ball to right field by Brice Turang. Ortiz then singled through the legs of third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera, driving in the winning run.

“I was just excited to be able to help the team win,” Ortiz said. “That’s what really matters.”

Milwaukee Brewers’ Joey Ortiz hits a walk off RBI single during the 11th inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, April 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Ortiz came into the game with three hits in his last 24 at bats, including 0 for 13 in the last 12.

“Hit something hard, put the barrel on the ball,” he said. “Put the ball in play and make things happen.”

New York’s Jose Trevino, on second to start the 10th inning, scored on a double to the wall in left-center by pinch-hitter Giancarlo Stanton. Milwaukee tied the game in the bottom half of the inning when Willy Adames singled to center, scoring William Contreras and tying it at 6-all.

Milwaukee Brewers’ Joey Ortiz reacts after hitting a walk off RBI single during the 11th inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, April 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Jared Koenig (2-0) picked up the win with two innings of relief. Michael Tonkin (1-3), claimed off waivers from the New York Mets on Thursday, took the loss.

“Baseball, in general, is tough,” Tonkin said. “Still got to go out and do your job.”

Clay Holmes pitched a perfect ninth, but Boone didn’t want his closer to come for the 10th.

“I wasn’t going two innings with my closer tonight when he’s been in essentially half our games,” Boone said. “And, especially some of the attrition we had down there in our bullpen, I’ve got to make sure we keep him in a great spot.”

Milwaukee Brewers’ Willy Adames douses Joey Ortiz after a walk off hit during the 11th inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, April 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 7-6. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

New York’s Juan Soto made his 800th career hit special, sending a 0-1 cutter 103.9 mph over the left-field wall in the first inning off Colin Rea.

Milwaukee Brewers’ Joey Ortiz is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, April 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Yankees went ahead 2-0 in the second when Alex Verdugo launched a solo homer.

Ortiz tied it with his first career homer, two-run blast to left in the bottom half of the inning.

The home-run ball was sitting on the top shelf of his locker.

“I guess the ball bounced back,” Ortiz said. “I had no idea because I kind of blacked out when I hit it. I guess the ball bounced back on the field and (left fielder Alex) Verdugo was able to throw it into the bullpen.”

Milwaukee Brewers’ Blake Perkins hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, April 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Blake Perkins gave Milwaukee a 4-2 lead in the third with a two-run homer to right-center, his third of the season.

Trent Grisham put the Yankees ahead in the fourth with his first home run of the season, a three-run shot that traveled 404 feet to right.

Yankees starter Luis Gil was chased in the sixth inning when Sánchez hit a lead-off double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Joey Ortiz.

Gil allowed five runs on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts in his first career start against Milwaukee, a no-decision.

Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras tags out New York Yankees’ Jahmai Jones at home during the 11th inning of a baseball game Friday, April 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Rea allowed five runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: OF Jasson Domínguez (right UCL tear) continues to improve and is a few weeks away from playing in a game.

Brewers: LHP Wade Miley said he needs Tommy John surgery. The 37-year-old lefty (0-1, 6.43 ERA in two starts) was put on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation on April 22, retroactive to April 19.

UP NEXT

Yankees: LHP Carlos Rodón (1-1, 2.70 ERA) makes his sixth start of the season and will face Brewers RHP Joe Ross (1-2, 4.05 ERA), making his fifth start this season and first against the Yankees since May 9, 2021, while pitching for Washington.

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