The Milwaukee Brewers extended their win streak to 10 games after taking down the Pittsburgh Pirates in a series opener on Monday, but they were expected to get a stiff challenge in the second game of that set, with the Bucs sending All-Star pitcher Paul Skenes to the mound. Well, the Brewers immediately extinguished the hype on Skenes, with Milwaukee right fielder Sal Frelick taking the hurler deep with a leadoff home run.
It was quite a battle between Frelick and Skenes, who got in front early with a 2-1 count after three pitches. Frelick, however, stayed patient, fouling the fourth pitch before drawing two balls. On Skenes’ seventh pitch, a 97 mph four-seam fastball, Frelick finally found the sweet spot on his bat, as he launched a 375-foot dinger to put the Brewers ahead, 1-0.
How do the @Brewers start in their quest for an 11th straight win?
A leadoff homer for Sal Frelick off Paul Skenes! pic.twitter.com/BblcV3oz1Y
— MLB (@MLB) August 12, 2025
Frelick’s home run was definitely a great sign for the Brewers, especially given the trend provided by Insider Edge following that blast.
“Sal Frelick hits a lead-off home run for Milwaukee. The Brewers are 49-18 (.731) when they’ve scored in the first inning since last season, tied for 4th best in MLB; League Avg: .635.”
Frelick has been on a rise in the 2025 MLB season. He hit .259/.320/.335 in 2024 and entered Tuesday’s meeting with the Pirates with slashes of .291/.349/.402 to go with a 112 OPS+. (He only had an 86 OPS+ in his first two seasons in the majors.)
Brewers fans couldn’t contain themselves on social media after that big blast from Frelick. Here are some of their reactions:
“First first inning run allowed by Skenes. What a shot in the Summer of Sal!,” said a fan on X.
Another one said: “SWINGIN SAL BABY”From a commenter: “Always a great way to start the game!”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think is actually gonna be our year…,” a social media user posted.
Via a different commenter: “Yeah i’m convinced they are the team of destiny man”
Said another: “I want you to look at this pitch that he hits out. His run with the Brewers is nuts, but it helps when you’re getting pitches like that.”
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