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'I Blacked Out;' Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop Joey Ortiz Reacts to 1st Career 2-Home Run Game

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 12:22 AM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers bounced back from a frustrating 5-4 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday to win in convincing fashion by the score of 9-3 on Tuesday. With the Chicago Cubs‘ loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, the Brewers are now just 2.5 games back of the National League Central Division leader. However, so are the Cardinals, who now have the same record (44-36) as Milwaukee.

The Brewers’ win on Tuesday sets up a series rubber match for Wednesday afternoon in what has turned out to be one of the most anticipated games of the MLB season thus far. Of course, this is because Milwaukee phenom Jacob Misiorowski, who started his Major League career with 11 no-hit innings, will face off against Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.

But the Brewers would not be playing for a series win on Wednesday without the heroics of two surprising players on Tuesday.

Caleb Durbin and Joey Ortiz Blasted the Milwaukee Brewers to Victory

Jun 24, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz (3) reacts after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

After a quiet first two innings, Milwaukee got on the board first when Joey Ortiz followed a Caleb Durbin single with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning. Going into play on Tuesday, Ortiz had hit just two home runs all season.

The next inning, in the bottom of the fourth, Durbin launched his fourth home run of the season, a three-run shot that also gave him 29 RBI on the season, which leads all Major League rookies.

Ortiz then followed Durbin’s home run with a solo shot, his second of the game and fourth of the season. His blast gave the Brewers a 6-0 lead, and they would hold on to win the game 9-3.

Durbin and Ortiz combined for seven RBI in the win (Ortiz added an RBI groundout later in the game).

Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop Joey Ortiz Responds to 2-Home Run Game

Jun 24, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz (3) hits a two-run home run in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

After the game, Ortiz was asked about how he was able to push through his long slump that, at one point, had his batting average sitting at .189. He credited his teammates and coaches for reminding him that it is a long season and that, if he kept on swinging well and at good pitches, the hits would come.

He was then asked about what his thoughts were as he was in the midst of his first career two-home run game.

“I dont even know, I blacked out. I don’t remember”

Joey Ortiz on his first career multi-HR game pic.twitter.com/YdOcNpJBDB

— David Gasper (@dgasper24) June 25, 2025