The Milwaukee Brewers continued their modern run of success by clinching a fifth playoff bid in six years Friday night, and they did so in viral and historic fashion.
With his Brewers holding a 16-1 lead over the Miami Marlins, manager Craig Counsell sent first baseman Rowdy Tellez out to pitch the ninth. Tellez, who had never pitched in his six-year MLB career, got a chance to do so on one of the biggest stages possible.
Tellez gave up a single to the first batter he saw, but the 6-foot-4, 270-pound lefty was lights out from there on out.
After battling through a nine-pitch at-bat, Tellez struck out right fielder Jesús Sánchez on a 63 mile-per-hour fastball. Tellez then induced a fly out and a pop out to end the game, becoming the first position player ever to record the final out the day his team clinched a playoff spot, per MLB.com's Sarah Langs.
A few teammates came to swarm Tellez in the infield, but their brief jig was the extent of the on-field festivities down in Miami.
Tellez admitted after the game that he would have owed bench coach Pat Murphy $50 if he had walked anyone. Instead, Tellez allowed just one hit in his scoreless frame.
After calling himself a Cy Young candidate when he spoke to the media after the game, Tellez started to brag to his teammates that his 1.000 WHIP was better than theirs.
The Brewers have a chance to clinch the NL Central title Saturday, with first pitch for game two of their series against the Marlins scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET.
It remains to be seen if Tellez will be available out of the bullpen.
At the plate, Tellez is batting .215 with 13 home runs and 46 RBI in 100 games this season. He was the Brewers' everyday first baseman in 2022, when he notched career-highs with 35 home runs and 89 RBI.
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