William Contreras hit a three-run homer to cap an eight-run outburst in the second inning, and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Atlanta Braves 9-4 on Sunday.
The victory enabled the National League Central-leading Brewers to salvage one game against the NL East-leading Braves in the three-game set. It also ended their three-game losing streak.
Contreras, a former Brave, was 4-for-5, scored two runs and drove in three runs to pace the team’s 13-hit attack. Jake Bauers, Sal Frelick and David Hamilton added two hits apiece.
Robert Gasser (1-3) pitched a season-high six innings and 97 pitches, and retired the last nine batters he faced. He allowed two runs on four hits and one walk. He matched his career high with seven strikeouts and won for the first time since May 15, 2024.
Chad Patrick covered the final three innings and earned his fourth save, despite allowing a two-run homer in the ninth to ex-Brewer Rowdy Tellez. Patrick gave up three hits and fanned two.
The Brewers jumped on Atlanta starter Bryce Elder by sending 11 men to the plate in the second inning and scoring eight times, matching their biggest inning of the season.
Frelick doubled home a pair of runs, then scored on Hamilton’s double. Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang followed with run-scoring singles and Contreras launched a 408-foot, three-run homer to left field, his seventh.
Elder (5-5) persevered to pitch six innings and did not allow another run. He gave up 12 hits and two walks, striking out six.
The Braves had taken the lead by scoring a run in the first inning on Ozzie Albies’ sacrifice fly.
Atlanta added a run in the fourth, cutting the lead to 8-2, when Michael Harris II doubled, stole third and scored on Joey Bart’s infield grounder.
The Brewers added an unearned run in the seventh against reliever Reynaldo Lopez, who worked the final three innings. Garrett Mitchell walked and came around to score on a wild pitch.
Mauricio Dubon had three of Atlanta’s seven hits.
