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If ever there was a time for the Milwaukee Brewers to live up to their postseason mantra of “Fearless,” now is it.

After a nightmarish fifth inning that saw the New York Mets cross the plate five times, due in large part to a few key defensive errors, the Brewers are just one game away from elimination after losing Game 1 of their National League Wild Card lost the matchup, 8-4, at American Family Field on Tuesday night.

A crowd of 40,022 experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as Milwaukee took a two-run lead in the first inning, fell behind, and regained the lead in the fourth inning before the wheels completely fell off in the fifth inning.

Game 1 Box Score: Mets 8, Brewers 4

It was the Brewers' sixth straight postseason loss since 2021.

There were some solid individual performances: Starter Freddy Peralta rebounded from a difficult second pitch to retire the last nine batters he faced before pulling out, Brice Turang collected three hits – including doubles in each of his first two at-bats. bats – and scored two runs and Jackson Chourio hit two singles in his first playoff game.

But it wasn't nearly enough and now Milwaukee must defy the odds: Teams that won Game 1 of the Wild Card Series have won the series 14 out of 16 times.

Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:38 p.m.

Freddy Peralta fails to keep up the momentum

Things looked great early on for Peralta, who first hit a pair in a 1-2-3 and then got a couple of support runs at the bottom of the frame.

But the prosperity didn't last long, as the Mets responded with a walk single, a two-run triple from former Brewer Jesse Winker and then a sacrifice fly to take the lead. Things were so bad at this point that Milwaukee's bullpen quickly sprang into action.

It was a sequence somewhat reminiscent of the way Peralta faltered at the end of the fourth and beginning of the fifth in Game 2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in last year's Wild Card Series.

Peralta regained control by closing out the second game, eventually lasting four innings before giving way to Joel Payamps.

Willy Adames and Jesse Winker exchange words

Winker, whose one-year tenure in Milwaukee in 2023 didn't go well, was loudly booed by Brewers fans as he stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat in the second.

He battled Peralta for eight pitches, finally sending a changeup down but over the plate into the right corner for a pair and tying the game.

Undoubtedly a big moment for Winker, and he celebrated it wildly by shouting and pointing at the New York dugout. Apparently, either something Winker said or just the optics of Winker's gestures rubbed Willy Adames the wrong way and the Milwaukee shortstop made his feelings known.

The moment ended there, but it was an interesting look at two former teammates now straining in the heat of battle.

Quite a sequence for Jackson Chourio

There was a feeling it wouldn't take long for the Brewers' prized rookie to make his presence felt.

He threw his first at-bat single in the first inning, scoring a run, and hit another two-out single in the fourth inning, even tying the Brewers at 3-3. At 20 years and 204 days, he became the youngest player to record multiple goals in his postseason debut.

Then Chourio made what appeared to be a home run-saving catch when he jumped up and deflected a drive to the wall to left by Starling Marte to open the fifth.

The play caused Payamps to pound his fist on his chest and sparked a huge ovation from the crowd.

But one batter later the ball found Chourio again and this time he wasn't so lucky as he misread Tyrone Taylor's liner. It landed over his head and resulted in a double that was the start of a game-winning, five-run rally.

Nightmare fifth for Aaron Ashby

Aaron Ashby deserves all the credit in the world for fully coming back from left shoulder surgery he underwent in early 2023 and making the postseason roster.

But Tuesday will be a day he'll quickly want to erase from his memory, as he faced five batters in the deciding fifth game behind Payamps and didn't give up a single one.

Ashby entered the game with runners on first and second and two outs, the score tied at 4-4, and was greeted by a runaway single from Brandon Nimmo that loaded the bases.

Mark Vientos, next in line, hit a single to right to drive in a pair. The Brewers opted to use the dangerous Pete Alonso to load the bases again, and JD Martinez came off the bench to throw a two-run single to right.

Marte, the man who opened the inning at the plate, followed the walk and that was it for Ashby as Nick Mears ended the inning.

Joel Payamps deserves some blame

Chourio's misplay opened the door to the big inning.

But if Payamps did a basic thing that has been on pitchers' minds from the first day of spring training — covering first base — the Mets might not have affected the scoreboard at all.

Taylor was at second and Francisco Lindor was at first when Jose Iglesias hit a sharp grounder to first that Rhys Hoskins smothered with his feet.

But Payamps couldn't get to first right away, and his slight hesitation made all the difference as Iglesias slid headfirst safely into base while Taylor never slowed as he scored from second.

Considering how strong the Brewers' defense has been this year, it was shocking to see a few mistakes turn the tide so quickly.

(This story has been updated to change or add a photo or video.)

On By John Fenwick

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