Adames, Sánchez hit back-to-back homers in 1st inning as Brewers defeat Rockies 5-2

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Willy Adames and Gary Sánchez hit back-to-back homers in the first inning, William Contreras later added a two-run shot and the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-2 on Saturday night.

Rookie right-hander Tobias Myers (7-5) recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts over six innings to help Milwaukee avoid a fourth consecutive loss. The NL Central-leading Brewers are the only major league team without a losing streak of at least four games this season.

Ryan McMahon and Sam Hilliard homered for the Rockies.

Adames put Milwaukee ahead for good with his two-out homer off Ty Blach (3-8) in the first inning. The homer was the 30th of the season for Adames, who also has 101 RBIs. Adames entered Saturday tied with Los Angeles’ Shohei Ohtani for the NL lead in RBIs.

Adames is the first Brewers shortstop ever to have a 30-homer, 100-RBI season. Hall of Fame shortstop Robin Yount, who spent his entire career in Milwaukee and owns many of the franchise's hitting records, never homered more than 29 times in a single season.

Sánchez followed Adames’ homer by delivering a 418-foot shot to left center for his 10th homer of the year. Milwaukee nearly ended up hitting three straight homers, as Rhys Hoskins hit an inning-ending fly ball that center fielder Brenton Doyle caught on the warning track.

Contreras extended the lead to 4-0 in the third when he broke out of an 0 for 20 slump with his two-run shot to right-center. Joey Ortiz added an RBI double down the left-field corner in the fifth.

Those big hits provided more than enough support for Myers, who gave up just one run, four hits and one walk. The only run Myers allowed came on McMahon’s leadoff homer in the fourth.

Hilliard added a solo shot off Jared Koenig with two outs in the eighth. Devin Williams struck out the side in the ninth for his ninth save in 10 opportunities.

Blach gave up five runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out one and walked nobody.

INJURY REPORT

After making a diving catch to rob Sal Frelick of an extra-base hit in the second inning, Doyle left the game in the bottom of the fifth.

Rockies manager Bud Black conceded the possibility that OF/1B Kris Bryant might not return this season. Bryant, who is dealing with a back strain, has appeared in only 37 games this season and last played on Aug. 10.

“You know in the NFL, you’ve got probable, questionable and doubtful," Black said. "I’m going to say it’s questionable, but we’re running out of time.”

UP NEXT

LHP Kyle Freeland (4-7, 5.30 ERA) starts for the Rockies and RHP Freddy Peralta (10-7, 3.75) pitches for the Brewers when this three-game series concludes Sunday.

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

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras (24) hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Joey Ortiz (3) celebrates after hitting an RBI double as Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia (4) covers second base during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras (24) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Sal Frelick (10) scores on an RBI double hit by Joey Ortiz during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Colorado Rockies pitcher Jaden Hill makes his major league debut during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Willy Adames (27) celebrates hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Willy Adames (27) celebrates hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Willy Adames (27) flips his bat after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have benched 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young after the second-year quarterback’s rough start to the season.

Andy Dalton will take over as the starter for Carolina’s next game on Sunday at Las Vegas.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he made the decision after watching game film from Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

He informed both QBs of the decision on Monday after consulting with general manager Dan Morgan and vice president of football operations Brandt Tillis.

“After watching the film and taking in all of the information I feel like Andy gives us the best chance to win,” Canales said.

Canales wouldn't say if Dalton will remain the starter beyond this week saying “right now the focus is on this week.”

Canales also wouldn't say exactly what led to the decision to bench Young.

“I don't want to get into the specifics as those are private conversations,” Canales said.

Canales had worked with Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, helping turn their careers around. He was hired in part to get the most out of Young, who struggled last season as a rookie with nearly as many interceptions (10 ) as touchdown passes (11).

But Young's struggles as a rookie have carried over to this year.

He's completed just 31 of 56 passes for 244 yards with three interceptions as the Panthers have started 0-2 this season for the second straight year and have been outscored 73-13 by the New Orleans Saints and Chargers. Young has run for one touchdown, the only one of the season for Carolina.

When asked if Young still has the support of the locker room, Canales said “that's a loaded question. Right now our focus is to make sure that we fix the film from yesterday and get ready for the Raiders.”

Young is 2-16 as a starter overall since the Panthers traded up eight spots in the 2023 NFL draft to get him.

The Panthers made a significant investment in that deal with Chicago, sending wide receiver D.J. Moore and four draft picks to the Bears — one of which turned out to be the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft after the Panthers finished a league-worst 2-15 last season. The Bears used that pick to take quarterback Caleb Williams.

Young becomes the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall in the common draft era starting in 1967 to be benched for non-injury reasons in his second season.

He hasn’t looked much like a No. 1 overall pick since his arrival, continually looking flustered in the pocket and often making poor decisions and throwing into double coverage. His first throw this season was an interception against the Saints in the opener and things only seem to have gotten worse.

Young was booed repeatedly by the home crowd on Sunday after the offense stalled time and time again.

Carolina was 1 of 12 on third down conversions and the Panthers were outgained 349-159.

When asked about his confidence after the game, Young said, “I draw my confidence from the Lord. I’m very blessed. I’m grateful for this challenge. Not an ideal start, but God does everything for a reason. I have faith in that.”

Young said he needed to do a better job with his decision-making.

“You always want to make a play. You want to do something,” Young said. “Obviously, part of the position is being the game manager. Some bad instances of that on film today. I definitely take accountability for that.”

Dalton is 83-78-2 as a starting quarterback in the NFL, including one last season with the Panthers. He has thrown 246 touchdown passes and 144 interceptions since coming into the league in 2011 with Cincinnati.

Dalton said Monday he was surprised by the move, but is excited about the opportunity to start again in the NFL.

“When I came here, I wasn’t sure if I was going to get another opportunity, and so I’m really looking forward to it," said Dalton, who missed a portion of training camp with a quad injury. "I’m excited about what’s ahead. And, you know, it’s a tough situation. I’ve been on both sides of it, and it’s hard. I mean, it’s hard on everybody, but for me, I mean, I’m looking forward to it.”

Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble said he still feels Young is a great quarterback and said the blame shouldn't fall all on the QB's shoulders.

“We haven’t done the best (as teammates) to help him show his ability,” Tremble said. “I’ve seen the flashes and what he does on a daily basis in practice. I think just together as a group I feel bad that we couldn’t show that on Sundays.”

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

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert hug on the field after an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young leaves a news conference after their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young hands off to running back Miles Sanders during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales right talks to quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young passes against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)