Jacob Misiorowski recorded six punchouts on Friday in Milwaukee. So did Chris Sale. They each went six innings in a series opener that doubled as a duel between National League Cy Young Award contenders and a meeting of teams competing for the top seed in the NL playoff bracket.
Misiorowski, who entered with the better ERA of the two aces, came out on top, lowering his MLB-best mark to 1.68 in a 2-1 Brewers victory.
For the ninth time this season, the 24-year-old flamethrower didn’t allow an earned run for Milwaukee (80-49), which boasts the best record in baseball. Atlanta (75-54), meanwhile, has a bit of breathing room atop the NL East but is now five games back of the Brewers and 2.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the league table.
Sale’s ERA rose slightly to 2.20. He didn’t issue a walk, whereas Misiorowski delivered two free passes; however, the 37-year-old southpaw gave up eight hits, the most he’s conceded since a June 28 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
Both Misiorowski and Sale got showstopping defensive support.
This story is being updated.