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Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell smiles with his family after a baseball game against the New York Mets on Sunday, September 26, 2021, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won the National League Central Division. (AP Photo / Aaron Gash)
MILWAUKEE (AP) – The Milwaukee Brewers won their second NL Central title in four years, beating the New York Mets 8-4 on Sunday behind Willy Adames’ home run by two runs and three RBIs.
Josh Hader pitched a perfect ninth inning, removing Brandon Nimmo on a late-game steal from outfielder Christian Yelich and sending the Brewers running onto the field in celebration as the crowd of 43,430 erupted into cheers.
“It’s a great accomplishment for this organization, for this team,” said Hader. “We’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but it’s part of this baseball team. Each of these guys, they’re fighting for each other. That’s what it’s about.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell often describes the team as resilient.
“We never give up,” said Hader. “Think about this week. We got swept away by the Cardinals and turned around and swept the Mets. That’s what matters, not to belittle ourselves and keep playing at the level we can. “
The Brewers are 94-62, winning over 90 games for the ninth time in franchise history.
“We gave ourselves the opportunity to do so today” said Counsell. “It’s because we played a great series this weekend. It’s still a roller coaster, but you get up in the 90s with wins, that means you do it all year round.
Milwaukee slid the Mets (73-82) in their 10th loss in 11 games. They are on their third five-game losing streak and have been swept away for the 10th time this season.
A day after New York was knocked out of the playoffs in their first season under new owner Steven Cohen, the Mets (73-82) made three mistakes and were assured of a losing season for the fourth time. in five years.
Milwaukee, who also won the NL Central in 2011 and 2018, was already assured of his fourth straight playoff spot. After losing at the wild card stage in 2019 and 2020, the Brewers will rest after the regular season ends before starting the Division Series on October 8.
Yelich was thrilled to be able to celebrate at home and with fans in the stands after last season’s COVID restrictions shut down all fans.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “Compared to last year, we made the playoffs, but we weren’t allowed to do all of that. “
Freddy Peralta (10-5) won for the first time since August 10, ending a skid in which he went 0-2 in five starts. He allowed four runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Peralta entered with a 0.162 batting average for his opponents, on track to be the best since 1920.
HONORED BRAUN
The start was delayed by 32 minutes as the Brewers honored all-star outfielder Ryan Braun, who has not played this year and announced his retirement this month.
TRAINERS ‘ROOM
Brewers: Devin Williams, hampered by a strained right calf, had a perfect eighth.
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