In a surprising turn of events, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski experienced a rare off night during his start against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. The 24-year-old right-hander, who has been a standout in the league this season, allowed five runs and five hits over four innings, marking a significant departure from his previous performances.
Misiorowski's struggles were evident as he struck out five batters but also issued four walks, matching his career highs in both categories. This outing was only his 26th start of the season and the 40th of his professional career. Prior to this game, he had consistently limited opponents to three earned runs or fewer in his first 25 starts, showcasing his dominance on the mound.
Despite this setback, Misiorowski remains a frontrunner for the National League Cy Young Award in his second year in the majors. His ERA, although it rose to 1.97 after this game, still leads all of Major League Baseball. Additionally, he boasts an impressive 227 strikeouts in 155 innings pitched, further solidifying his status as one of the league's top pitchers.
The trouble for Misiorowski began early in the game. In the first inning, he issued a leadoff walk to Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Shortly after, he allowed a two-run home run to Alex Bregman, putting the Cubs on the board. The inning set the tone for a challenging night for the Brewers' ace.
In the second inning, the Cubs extended their lead with three more runs. Tyrone Taylor contributed with an RBI single, and Misiorowski's struggles continued as he walked both Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki, loading the bases. Bregman then capitalized on the situation, hitting a two-run single that pushed the Cubs' lead to 5-3 in the sweltering conditions at Wrigley Field.
Despite the rough start, Misiorowski managed to settle down, shutting out the Cubs in the final two innings of his outing. By the time he left the game, the Brewers had regained a 6-5 advantage, a testament to their offensive capabilities even when their ace was not at his best.
Before this outing, Misiorowski had been riding a three-game winning streak, and this performance will likely serve as a learning experience as he continues to develop in the league. The Brewers, currently leading the NL Central, will look to bounce back in their next game as they aim to maintain their position in the playoff race.
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