September 22, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera (11 years old) tags Milwaukee Brewers shortstop during the seventh inning at American Family Field Willie Adams (27) tries to score. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Willie Adams has added a new element to his game this season.
Adams had a career-high 20 stolen bases in the Milwaukee Brewers' game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.
He is the first shortstop in franchise history to hit at least 30 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season.
“I didn't think I was going to steal 20 baseballs,” Adams said after stealing his 20th in the Brewers' 7-2 win over the Pirates in Tuesday's series opener. “Maybe we can get to 25.”
Adams said he had 20 interceptions this season due to encouragement from his coaching staff and teammates. His previous career high was eight in 2022.
He is the fifth Milwaukee player to have at least 20 steals this season, joining rookie Jackson Chourio as the first to hit at least 20 homers and 20 in the same season. Brewers teammate who stole a base.
“I feel like that's the right mentality for the boys,” Adams said of his increase in stolen bases. “They've been aggressive from day one and I just wanted to be involved with them.”
Brewers head coach Pat Murphy doesn't need milestones to recognize that Adams is enjoying the best season of his career. The captain is more focused on getting his team into the playoffs the right way, and that starts with winning the series against the Buccaneers.
“We've got to continue to play decent baseball, and we performed well (Tuesday),” Murphy said. “I've been saying all year, (Pittsburgh) is not a bad club. They've got some hitters and they've got some pitchers that we all know.”
Freddy Peralta is scheduled to start on the mound for the Brewers (90-67) on Wednesday.
Peralta (11-8, 3.69 ERA) is 4-1 with a 2.19 ERA in his past seven starts.
In his most recent game against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 18, he received no penalties despite allowing just one run and two hits in five innings. Peralta started with a 1-1 tie, and the Brewers ended up winning 2-1 after clinching the National League Central title earlier in the day.
Peralta has made 21 appearances against the Pirates, including 12 starts, with a 2-1 record and a 3.56 ERA. He last faced Pittsburgh on April 25 and did not receive a verdict after allowing five runs, five hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Luis L. Ortiz is scheduled to start Wednesday for the Buccaneers (73-84).
Ortiz (6-6, 3.43) is 0-2 with a 5.17 ERA in three starts this month, but he's been strong in recent outings. He allowed two runs and five hits over six innings Thursday while striking out seven and walking two.
The right-hander didn't receive a call in the Pirates' 3-2 victory, but he was pleased with his performance.
“My whole focus today was getting weaker contact and the strikeouts came out,” Ortiz said through a translator. “I wasn't trying to knock people out but make quality calls and that's what happened. , we are very happy.”
Buccaneers manager Derek Shelton was also impressed with Ortiz's playmaking.
“I thought he looked very sharp,” Shelton said. “Looked really good. He was able to run cutters and four-seamers. I thought he did a good job.”
Ortiz is 1-0 with a 2.93 ERA in four career starts against the Brewers (two starts). He had no decisions in two relief outings against the Milwaukee Bucks this year and had a 3.86 ERA.
–Scene-level media