Major League Baseball is about more than runs, hits, and outs. There is drama, there is strategy, and there are moments that change the course of a game. The matchup between the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers provided the rare night that the baseball global audience clung to every single pitch. Let’s take a closer look at how the game played out, who was in control, which strategies were useful and what the ramifications are for both teams.
This is not a game of the night recap — this is the complete story.
Match Summary At A Glance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Brewers came out on top with a gritty 7-5 victory, but the game was closer than the final score suggests.
First Inning – A Nervy Start
Each team began the game on the conservative side with Yu Darvish pitching for the Padres and Corbin Burnes for the Brewers. The Padres hoped to jump out to an early lead, but some sneaky cutters by Burnes kept the Padres' bats at bay. The Brewers took the opportunity to test Darvish early, highlighted by a double from Yelich in the first, but Darvish managed to escape without giving up any runs.
Second Inning – Padres Strike First
The Padres gained their first edge on a solo home run by Fernando Tatís Jr. He sparked the ballpark, and the Padres took a 1-0 lead. However, the Brewers would not be intimidated. Burnes adjusted very quickly and struck out three consecutive batters with precision.
Third Inning – Brewers Answer Back
The Brewers answered with flair as Willy Adames sent a two-run shot soaring into left field, giving the Brewers the lead back at 2-1. A poor fastball from Darvish provided the damage, but this inning provided more proof that the Brewers can be so dangerous when their power hitters take the plate.
Fourth & Fifth Inning – Tug of War
The fourth and fifth innings were marked by a war of attrition. The Padres evened it up on a Machado RBI single but the Brewers quickly tied it again on a sacrifice fly.
At the conclusion of the fifth:
The score was 3-2 for the Brewers.
Both were over 70 pitches thrown.
It was clear the managers were already thinking about the bullpen plan.
Sixth Inning – Explosive Drama
The game flipped upside down during the sixth inning. After two singles and a walk, the Padres had the bases full. Manny Machado had a two-RBI double which put the Padres ahead 4-3.
But the Brewers would respond immediately, as with two runners on base, Christian Yelich smashed a two-run homer, flipping the score to 5-4 for Milwaukee. The crowd for the Brewers went wild and the Padres were driven back in disbelief.
Seventh & Eighth Inning – Brewers Pull Away
The Brewers built on their lead in the seventh inning with another RBI from Contreras. The Padres bullpen was facing a tough time with some key hits.
By the eighth, the score was 7-4 Brewers and San Diego's dugout was showing tension.
Ninth Inning – Padres Fight But Fall Short
In the ninth inning, the Padres made a push for a comeback. Juan Soto hit a solo homer to narrow the score to 7-5. With two outs and a runner on second base, Tatís Jr. was back again. Brewers closer Devin Williams slammed the door with a nasty change-up that struck Tatís out.
The Brewers had nailed it down.
Key Turning Points
Adames' 2-Run HR (3rd Inning): Shifted momentum into Milwaukee's favor.
Machado's Double (6th Inning): Provided the Padres a brief glimmer of hope.
Yelich's HR (6th Inning): Became the decisive blow and changed the game permanently.
Williams' Save (9th Inning): Showcased the bullpen strength of the Brewers.
Player Performances
Christian Yelich (Brewers): Two hits, one home run, three runs batted in; he changed the game.
Willy Adames (Brewers): His home run in the first inning established the tone of the game.
Manny Machado (Padres): Three hits, two RBIs; he kept the Padres in the game.
Fernando Tatís Jr. (Padres): Hit a home run; however, he was unable to perform in the big moment.
Corbin Burnes (Brewers): Six innings, seven strikeouts; he controlled the tempo of the game.
Milwaukee Brewers vs San Diego Padres Total Runs pic.twitter.com/dsEUB5VuMH
— WSP (@WinStreakPlays) September 23, 2025
Tactical Breakdown
Powerful Hitting by the Brewers: Whenever the Padres scored a run, the Brewers countered with a big hit.
Opportunities Missed by the Padres: Despite 9 hits, the Padres left 8 runners on base.
Bullpen: Brewers’ bullpen (Williams and Peguero) pitched outstandingly, Padres’ bullpen badly struggled.
What This Means Going Forward
For the Brewers: This victory should help build confidence in their postseason bid. The power hitting and bullpen continue to look good.
For the Padres: They remain questions about consistency. They have the stars, but they need to hit better consistently and get help in the pen.