MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jackson Chourio homered on the opening pitch from Garrett Crochet, and the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Monday.
Milwaukee pushed the lead to 2-0 in the fifth on consecutive doubles by Joey Ortiz and Andruw Monasterio.
Milwaukee starter Chad Patrick pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up three hits while walking two and striking out six. DL Hall, fresh off the 60-day injured list, came on to relieve Patrick with Jarren Duran on second base. Hall retired Rafael Devers on an easy ground out to first to end the threat.
Hall (1-0) pitched out of a jam in the seventh by getting Duran to ground into an inning-ending double play.
The Red Sox plated a run in the eighth but the Brewers regained a two-run cushion on Eric Haase's infield single with the bases loaded.
Duran's run-scoring single in the ninth pulled the Red Sox within a run.
Trevor Megill earned his 10th save in 11 tries but had to pitch out of a bases-loaded jam.
After winning four of five, the Red Sox lost their third straight while scoring a total of four runs in those contests.
Crochet (4-4) gave up five hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out 11, marking his eighth career start with 10 or more strikeouts.
Key moment
Ortiz, who entered the game with a .185 average, led off the fifth with a double. Monasterio, who came in with a .083 average, followed with a two-base hit for his first RBI of the season.
Key stat
Chourio’s first-inning home run, a 413-footer to left, marked the first career leadoff homer for the 21-year-old outfielder. It was also the Brewers' first leadoff home run this season.
Up next
The Red Sox haven’t named a starter for Tuesday’s game, with manager Alex Cora saying it will likely be a bullpen game. Aaron Civale (0-1, 9.00 ERA) will start for the Brewers.
Fun fact
Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw out the game's ceremonial first pitch, lobbing the ball to former NL MVP Christian Yelich behind home plate.
