Chourio sparkles in MLB debut, Brewers beat Mets 3-1 as tempers flare in season opener

NEW YORK (AP) — Even before his first big league game, Jackson Chourio had an $82 million contract.

Didn't take him long to show why.

The 20-year-old provided an immediate spark from the leadoff spot in his much-anticipated debut, and the Milwaukee Brewers threw a one-hitter to beat the New York Mets 3-1 in their contentious season opener Friday.

“It’s not easy to have that pressure and that responsibility that he carried,” new Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said. “I’m just really proud of the kid and happy for his family and anyone that was here to see him that he really showed well — defensively, offensively, baserunning. That was pretty cool.”

Christian Yelich homered and Freddy Peralta pitched six splendid innings for the NL Central champions, giving Murphy a victory in his first game since replacing Craig Counsell.

Tempers flared at windy Citi Field when Brewers newcomer Rhys Hoskins — who irritated the Mets during his days with the NL East rival Phillies — slid hard into second baseman Jeff McNeil on a potential double-play ball in the eighth.

McNeil was visibly angry at Hoskins, and both benches and bullpens emptied onto the field. The teams kept their distance, so there was no pushing and shoving, but Hoskins rubbed his eyes as if to call McNeil a crybaby, and McNeil cursed at Hoskins from across the field.

Chourio had a terrific major league debut, getting his first hit and driving in a run with his parents and brother in the stands. He also drew a four-pitch walk to start the game, stole a base and left his feet for an important catch at the right-field wall.

After the game, the souvenir ball from his first hit was sitting in a case atop his locker, and Chourio said he would give it to his father.

“Just very happy. Very proud,” he said through a translator.

When he thought about batting Chourio leadoff, Murphy sought Yelich's opinion and the veteran outfielder told him sure, throw the kid right into the fire. Get the jitters out of the way.

“Great debut for him, for sure,” Yelich said. “He's just a talented kid. He can really play the game, and he's still so young. You forget that he was a teenager a couple weeks ago."

Chourio became the youngest Milwaukee player to make his major league debut on opening day since Hall of Famer Robin Yount was 18 in 1974.

One of baseball's most prized prospects, Chourio signed an $82 million, eight-year deal this offseason — the most money guaranteed to a player with no major league experience.

Peralta (1-0) struck out eight and walked one in his first opening-day start. The right-hander fanned four of his final five batters and the only hit he gave up was Starling Marte's homer in the second, his first since July 4.

“Peralta was really good. Not a secret — this guy when he’s on, he’s tough,” new Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He was on today. We started chasing some balls down and then when we expanded, it was easy for him to just go back to the fastball and attack the top of the zone.”

Trevor Megill, the brother of Mets starting pitcher Tylor Megill, worked the seventh and Joel Payamps struck out two in a perfect eighth. With star closer Devin Williams injured, Abner Uribe threw a 1-2-3 ninth for his second big league save with the help of an excellent defensive play by second baseman Brice Turang.

Mets starter Jose Quintana (0-1) was charged with two runs over 4 2/3 innings in an opener postponed a day because of rain.

Mendoza lost his first game as a big league manager after replacing Buck Showalter this offseason. Mendoza was hired by new Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who used to run the Brewers after growing up a Mets fan in New York City.

Yelich tied it with a leadoff homer in the fourth and finished with three hits. Chourio's first hit, a ground single to right field, sent Andruw Monasterio from first to third in the fifth and set up William Contreras' shallow sacrifice fly.

Pinch-hitter Jake Bauers doubled leading off the seventh, advanced on Turang's pinch-hit bunt single and scored when Chourio grounded into a forceout. The speedy Chourio beat the relay to first, avoiding a double play to earn his first RBI.

New York dropped to 41-22 in openers, by far the best record among big league teams — even after losing its first eight from 1962-69.

UP NEXT

Brewers: DL Hall makes his Milwaukee debut when he starts Saturday in the middle game of the series. The left-hander was acquired in the Feb. 1 trade that sent 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to Baltimore.

Mets: RHP Luis Severino makes his Mets debut after signing a $13 million, one-year contract in the offseason. The two-time All-Star spent his previous eight big league seasons across town with the Yankees, going 4-8 with a career-worst 6.65 ERA last year.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Milwaukee Brewers' Willy Adames, left, celebrates with Jackson Chourio, right, after a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. The Brewers won 3-1. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Milwaukee Brewers' Freddy Peralta pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Milwaukee Brewers' Freddy Peralta (51) pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio (11) fist bumps teammates before a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio (11) hits a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich (22) follows through on a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich, right, celebrates with Willy Adames, left, after a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. The Brewers won 3-1. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins yells toward New York Mets' Jeff McNeil as benches cleared during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Second base umpire Jonathan Parra (121) restrains New York Mets' Jeff McNeil as benches cleared during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil (1) exchanges words with Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins (12) after Hoskins slid into him during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil (1) loses control of the ball as Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins (12) slides into him during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers was in total control in a superb homecoming performance that kept the cheers and chants going from the giddy New York Jets fans.

And this time, Rodgers was able to walk off the field — healthy and a winner.

The star quarterback threw two touchdown passes while being showered with “Aa-ron! Rod-gers!” chants throughout, New York’s defense was dominant and the Jets rolled to a 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots in their home opener Thursday night.

“It was a really special night,” Rodgers said. “All those chants are really meaningful.”

Rodgers started his first game at MetLife Stadium since leaving the field just over a year ago with a torn Achilles tendon in New York's opener. The 40-year-old quarterback showed no signs of the injury — or playing in his third game in 11 days — while scrambling several times and making off-balance throws all night, slicing through New England's defense with surgical precision.

“It felt great,” Rodgers said. “I was feeling real good out there. I felt good in pregame. I told you guys after Week 1 that it's going to be a process and I'll continue to extend plays once I feel more comfortable. This was kind of a first step in playing like I know I'm capable of playing.

“I felt like I was, you know, myself.”

Rodgers finished 27 of 35 for 281 yards with TD tosses to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard as the Jets (2-1) ended an eight-game home losing streak against the Patriots (1-2).

“He may not be what he used to be, but he still has plenty in those legs,” a smiling Jets coach Robert Saleh said of Rodgers. “His arm is still 30 and his mind is still operating at a high level.”

New York, which stopped a 15-game skid against New England last season in Bill Belichick's final game as the Patriots' coach, sacked Jacoby Brissett five times. Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in April, made his NFL debut when he replaced Brissett — who was 12 of 18 for 98 yards — with 4:24 left in the game.

Maye finished 4 for 8 for 22 yards and was sacked twice, but Patriots coach Jerod Mayo wasn't sure he would be making a quarterback change any time soon.

“I don't know,” the first-year coach said. “We talk every single week that you’re competing for a job. We’ll get together as a coaching staff and see where it goes.”

Breece Hall ran for a score for the Jets, who also snapped a six-game skid in Thursday night games.

And there was never much of a doubt in this one between the AFC East rivals.

“A lot of good things to build on from this game,” said Rodgers, who jogged onto the field to a thunderous ovation.

Soon after, he sent the crowd into a frenzy again.

After the Jets' first drive stalled, Rodgers marched them down the field — with a little help by a mental mistake from the Patriots.

A first-down pass from Rodgers to Hall was stopped for no gain, but Jahlani Tavai lifted the Jets running back and slammed him to the turf with a move more suitable for the wrestling ring. The 15-yard penalty put the ball at New England's 31.

Four plays later, Rodgers threw a quick out to Lazard on his left. The receiver made a move and Alex Austin reached out to try to stop him, but instead got only a handful of Lazard's undershirt that stretched several yards like a rubber band before Lazard broke away and zipped into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.

Lazard immediately ran over to his quarterback and handed the ball to Rodgers, who threw his first touchdown pass at home for the Jets.

Rodgers and the Jets kept things going on their next possession, capping a 13-play, 91-yard drive with a 1-yard run by Hall that was reversed by video review after it was originally ruled he was short of the goal line.

Joey Slye's 44-yard field goal cut the Patriots' deficit to 14-3 with 3:56 left in the first half.

New York made it 21-3 with 6:18 remaining in the third quarter when Rodgers zipped a pass to his right and found Wilson, who toe-tapped in the front corner of the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown.

It marked the third straight game the Jets had at least three touchdowns on offense.

After Chuck Clark forced and recovered a fumble by Rhamondre Stevenson, the Jets increased their lead on a 28-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein.

“Honestly, it just wasn’t our night,” Brissett said. “I don’t think we did anything well, to be honest with you.”

In the first half, the Jets outgained the Patriots 252 yards to 40 and had 17 first downs to New England's four. It was the fewest first downs for the Patriots in any half since 2000.

The final stats weren't much better: New York finished with 400 yards to New England's 139, and 27 first downs to the Patriots' 11.

Patriots: Austin (ankle), LG Michael Jordan (knee) and rookie LT Caedan Wallace (knee) all left in the fourth quarter.

Jets: RT Morgan Moses injured a knee on the final play of the third quarter and didn't return. First-round pick Olu Fashanu replaced him.

Patriots: At San Francisco on Sept. 29.

Jets: Host Denver on Sept. 29.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) motions to fans as he walks off the field after playing against the New England Patriots in an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (4) carries the ball against the New York Jets during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh congratulates New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after the Jets scored a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) scores a touchdown against New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) passes against the New England Patriots during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) steps back to pass against the New England Patriots during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) runs for a touchdown despite the efforts of New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin (28) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) motions on the line of scrimmage against the New England Patriots during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)