Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Frankie Taddeo

Milwaukee Brewers Clinch Playoff Berth in Most Unlikely Way Possible

The Milwaukee Brewers clinched a 2023 MLB playoff berth in one of the oddest ways conceivable Friday night. 

Thanks to a 16-1 lead against the Miami Marlins entering the ninth inning, the Brewers turned to first baseman Rowdy Tellez to record the final three outs of the game.

The 28-year-old veteran recorded his first career strikeout during his first major league pitching appearance and now sports a perfect 0.00 ERA. Tellez is the only position player to pitch the final inning of a game in which his team clinched a postseason berth in the past 120 years, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

With the win, Milwaukee secured a spot in the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons. The club’s magic number to win the NL Central division title has been trimmed to one. One Brewers victory or a Cubs loss will award the Brewers the division crown. 

Tellez caught the attention of Rob Friedman, who runs the popular “Pitching Ninja” account on X, who lauded the effort as “Filth.” Meanwhile, fans on social also loved the rare occurrence of a position player pitching the final inning clinching game.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.