Misiorowski Dominates Early, Collapses Late as Brewers Fall 3-2 to Red Sox in Fenway Pitcher's Duel

The Milwaukee Brewers dropped a 3-2 decision to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday, a game that saw Jacob Misiorowski dominate early before faltering in a crucial sixth inning. The 24-year-old right-hander struck out the first five batters he faced and recorded 10 strikeouts overall in 5 2/3 innings, but walked three straight in the sixth to set the stage for the Red Sox’s go-ahead rally.

Misiorowski entered the game with a plan to attack the strike zone and execute the Brewers’ aggressive game plan. For five innings, he did just that, retiring 16 of his first 17 batters and facing the minimum until Willson Contreras broke through with a fourth-inning single. But with one out in the sixth, the night took a dramatic turn. Misiorowski missed 12 of his next 13 pitches, issuing consecutive walks to Jarren Duran and Contreras before walking Wilyer Abreu on an 0-2 count. A 3-0 count followed before the final walk, and the Brewers were forced to bring in lefty DL Hall to stop the damage.

“I was pounding the zone for the first five,” Misiorowski said. “One of the most important things for me is staying in the legs. It’s just a part of it. You’ve got to figure it out.”

The Brewers’ bullpen was already stretched thin, with Grant Anderson and Angel Zerpa unavailable due to recent usage and Aaron Ashby on emergency-only status. Rookie Shane Drohan was being held for his Major League debut on Wednesday. Manager Pat Murphy made two mound visits, including one from pitching coach Chris Hook, but ultimately stuck with Misiorowski.

“He was one pitch away,” Murphy said. “He was pitching so darn good.”

Hall eventually took over and faced Trevor Story, who delivered a two-run double to extend the Red Sox lead. Former Brewer Caleb Durbin added an RBI groundout to make it 3-1. Misiorowski, who had thrown 83 pitches at that point, was unable to return in the top of the seventh.

Garrett Crochet, Boston’s ace, also struggled late. After a dominant start, he loaded the bases in the seventh and allowed two runs on a hit-by-pitch and a groundout. But the Red Sox held on for the win.

The loss drops Milwaukee to 12-11 on the season, while Boston improves to 14-9. The Brewers will look to regroup in the series finale on Wednesday, when Shane Drohan will make his Major League debut on the mound.