Brewers' bullpen struggles continue in walk-off loss to Tigers

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Brewers' bullpen struggles continue in walk-off loss to Tigers

By Taylor Bretl | Last updated Apr 23, 2026 5:38 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers offense spent most of Thursday afternoon's game against the Detroit Tigers trying to solve how to hit off back-to-back AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

The Brewers collected just four hits (two of them bunts) and one run through the first six innings against the left-hander.

In the seventh, Milwaukee's bats were able to break through, stringing together three consecutive hits, tying the game on a two-run double from Blake Perkins.

With Skubal's outing over following the double, left‑hander Tyler Holton came into relieve Skubal, and would allow Perkins to score on an RBI single by third baseman David Hamilton, giving Milwaukee a 4-3 lead.

Not only is this game tied on Blake Perkins' seventh inning double -- but Tarik Skubal's day is done. pic.twitter.com/wM04NHmTub
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) April 23, 2026

Angel Zerpa blew another save

Left-hander Angel Zerpa, who was acquired in an offseason trade from the Kansas City Royals for RHP Nick Mears and OF Isaac Collins, entered the game for Milwaukee in the eighth inning.

After opening up the bottom of the eighth by striking out second baseman Gleyber Torres, Zerpa gave up a game-tying solo home run to pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones.

Zerpa has yet to find his footing in Milwaukee’s bullpen, now holding a 6.00 ERA and having blown two straight saves and his third overall this season.

Abner Uribe gave up a walk-off home run

In the bottom of the ninth, Abner Uribe — who has moved into the closer role following struggles from former closer Trevor Megill — gave up the deciding blow, allowing a walk-off solo home run to first baseman Spencer Torkelson who entered the contest batting just .189 on the season.

Spencer Torkelson WALK-OFF HOMER! pic.twitter.com/vdSvZbvaet
— MLB (@MLB) April 23, 2026

The loss sealed a 2-1 series defeat in Detroit and capped Milwaukee’s road trip at 3-3, following a two‑of‑three series win in Miami.

The Brewers will now be tasked with another Cy Young winner on the mound on Friday, looking to bounce back against Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Taylor Bretl

Taylor Bretl writes about Major League Baseball with a focus on the Milwaukee Brewers. He is founder of Around the Globe Baseball.

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