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Jake Bauers hits game-ending single to lift NL Central-clinching Brewers to 2-1 win over Phillies

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Jake Bauers hits game-ending single to lift NL Central-clinching Brewers to 2-1 win over Phillies
Sport

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Jake Bauers hits game-ending single to lift NL Central-clinching Brewers to 2-1 win over Phillies

2024-09-19 11:58 Last Updated At:12:00

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jake Bauers hit an RBI single in the ninth inning and the Milwaukee Brewers, who had clinched the NL Central earlier when the Cubs lost, beat Philadelphia 2-1 on Wednesday night to prevent the Phillies from securing a playoff berth.

Bauers' hit off Phillies closer Carlos Estévez (4-5) scored Jackson Chourio, who had tripled.

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Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio reacts after hitting a triple during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio reacts after hitting a triple during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber hits a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber hits a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins is congratulated after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins is congratulated after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Milwaukee Brewers celebrate after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 2-1 and clinched the National League Central division. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Milwaukee Brewers celebrate after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 2-1 and clinched the National League Central division. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers reacts after hitting a walk-off RBI single after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers reacts after hitting a walk-off RBI single after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers is congratulated by Devin Williams and Garrett Mitchell after hitting a walk-off RBI single after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers is congratulated by Devin Williams and Garrett Mitchell after hitting a walk-off RBI single after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

“I think the vibe in the clubhouse all day was, that's great that we (clinched), but we need to win this game," Bauers said. “It was intense, man, it was intense. You could feel the pressure."

Milwaukee closer Devin Williams (1-0) struck out Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh in order in the ninth.

Milwaukee clinched its second straight division title and made the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven seasons by virtue of the Chicago Cubs’ 5-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics Wednesday. Chicago is still fighting for a wild card.

Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta, making his career-high 31st start of the season, allowed one run on two hits in five innings, striking out nine and walking two.

Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola, second in the NL in innings pitched, went seven innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out nine and walking one. He had given up 10 earned runs in nine innings in his previous two starts.

“My command was pretty good, I was getting early outs,” Nola said.

“They're definitely a grinding team. Just trying to execute my pitches and get first-pitch strikes and get the leadoff guy out.”

The teams struck out 28 times combined.

Phillies batters struck out 16 times Tuesday and 16 times Wednesday.

“Two really good teams, low scoring, tight games," Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. "Those are the games you certainly like to win and hate to lose.”

Milwaukee took the series, winning 6-2 on Monday. Philadelphia won 5-1 on Tuesday.

Bohm gave Philadelphia a 1-0 lead in the second inning with his first home run since Aug. 15.

Rhys Hoskins’ 25th homer tied the game in the fifth inning. The former Phillie also doubled.

“Are you surprised? Of course you're not surprised," Hoskins said of the come-from-behind win. "That's what we've been doing all year.”

Milwaukee right-hander Joe Ross allowed a single and a walk upon taking over for Peralta to start the sixth inning. But Ross retired Nick Castellanos and Bohm before being replaced by left-hander Jared Koenig, who got Stott to ground out on the first pitch.

After Chourio's leadoff triple in the ninth, Estévez intentionally walked William Contreras, struck out Garrett Mitchell and walked Willy Adames, loading the bases before Bauers' single.

“Everybody was doubting us at the beginning, that we were going to be able to do this," Adames said. “We proved them wrong. Hopefully we can go all the way and win it all.”

The Phillies’ magic number to qualify for the playoffs is one, and four to clinch the NL East.

The Phillies made the playoffs the past two seasons, losing to Arizona in the 2023 NL Championship Series and to Houston in the 2022 World Series.

UP NEXT

Phillies: Open a four-game series Thursday in New York against the Mets, who are battling for a wild card. Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (3-6, 6.29 ERA) faces RHP Luis Severino (10-6, 3.77).

Brewers: Open a four-game series Thursday in Milwaukee against Arizona with RHP Tobias Myers (8-5, 3.07 ERA). The wild card-contending Diamondbacks will start RHP Brandon Pfaadt (9-9, 4.81).

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

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio reacts after hitting a triple during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio reacts after hitting a triple during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber hits a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber hits a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins is congratulated after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins is congratulated after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Milwaukee Brewers celebrate after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 2-1 and clinched the National League Central division. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Milwaukee Brewers celebrate after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 2-1 and clinched the National League Central division. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers reacts after hitting a walk-off RBI single after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers reacts after hitting a walk-off RBI single after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers is congratulated by Devin Williams and Garrett Mitchell after hitting a walk-off RBI single after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers is congratulated by Devin Williams and Garrett Mitchell after hitting a walk-off RBI single after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

ATLANTA (AP) — Before the first 12-team College Football Playoff even started, there were already plenty of people suggesting changes for determining future national champions.

Ohio State (13-2) and Notre Dame (14-1) aren't quibbling, at least not this year.

Had it remained a four-team playoff, the Buckeyes' loss to a middling Michigan team and the Irish's defeat against Northern Illinois would likely have been deal-breakers.

“Our season would be over,” Notre Dame defensive lineman Howard Cross III said. “Now we have a chance to play in this game.”

Two of the biggest brands in the sport will square off in the CFP championship game Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game will end the longest season in college football history — 150 days since starting Aug. 24.

“I think a lot of teams are starting their offseason program,” Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson said with a laugh, “and we’re still playing.”

Ohio State will be playing for its first championship since 2014 and Notre Dame for its first since 1988.

The Buckeyes already had a one-point road loss to Oregon when, as a three-touchdown favorite, they were upset 13-10 at home by Michigan on Nov. 30. The Irish's season appeared over before it really got started when, as a four-touchdown favorite, they lost 16-14 to Northern Illinois on Sept. 7.

Ohio State survived its crushing defeat on the strength of its four wins over top-five opponents, tied for most ever in a season. The Buckeyes have beaten Tennessee, Oregon and Texas in the playoff.

Players on both teams said they used their humbling losses as a reset.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said the journey's twists and turns won't mean much if his team falls short Monday.

“That’s the sobering reality of this game, that nobody cares about what you go through, and you’ve got to win that final one to finish the mission,” he said. “That’s it for our guys, and as much as some of these wins have been great wins for us, to me, it’s about winning this final game.”

Notre Dame closed the regular season with 10 straight wins, most in lopsided fashion, and its nation-leading streak has reached 13 after playoff wins over Indiana, Georgia and Penn State.

Xavier Watts, the Irish’s two-time All-America safety, said he and his teammates didn’t doubt they could bounce back after getting embarrassed in their second game.

“We went against Purdue the next week and we kind of went out there and let all our anger out,” Watts said. “Each week we just continued to improve. I just think each week we continued to get better and better and seen growth, and here we are now.”

Ohio State was listed as an 8.5-point favorite by BetMGM Sportsbook on Sunday. There have been two larger lines for a championship game in the CFP era. Georgia was favored by 13 1/2 over TCU two years ago and easily covered with a 65-7 victory. Four years ago, Alabama was favored by nine over Ohio State and won 52-24.

The Buckeyes had opened as a 9.5-point favorite.

Notre Dame will be making its second appearance of the season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Irish beat Georgia Tech 31-13 on Oct. 19, with quarterback Riley Leonard running for two touchdowns, Jeremiyah Love for one and Adon Shuler scoring on a 36-yard interception return.

The Buckeyes have bad memories of the place. The 2022 team squandered two double-digit leads and lost 42-41 to Georgia in the Peach Bowl CFP semifinal.

Ohio State has outscored its first three playoff opponents 42-0 in the first quarter. Notre Dame has gone scoreless over the first 15 minutes in its past two games.

Notre Dame has been at its best in the last four minutes of the second quarter and first four minutes of the third. The Irish have a 148-17 scoring advantage in the so-called “middle eight,” including 23-10 in their three CFP games. Ohio State has been outscored 14-10 in the middle eight.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman was awarded a new long-term contract last month, but that hasn't stopped his name from being mentioned for the Chicago Bears job. The 39-year-old is 33-9 with the Irish.

“Here’s the reality: with team success comes individual recognition. To hear that the Bears have interest, it’s humbling. It’s the NFL,” he said. “But it’s also a reminder of with team success comes individual success. I have put zero thought into coaching in the NFL. All my attention has just been on getting this team prepared for every opportunity we have in front of us.”

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with quarterback Will Howard (18) during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with quarterback Will Howard (18) during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman speaks during a news conference ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Atlanta. The game between Ohio State and Notre Dame will be played on Monday. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman speaks during a news conference ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Atlanta. The game between Ohio State and Notre Dame will be played on Monday. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day speaks during a news conference ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Atlanta. The game between Ohio State and Notre Dame will be played on Monday. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day speaks during a news conference ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Atlanta. The game between Ohio State and Notre Dame will be played on Monday. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, left, and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman pose with the trophy after a news conference ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Atlanta. The game between Ohio State and Notre Dame will be played on Monday. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, left, and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman pose with the trophy after a news conference ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Atlanta. The game between Ohio State and Notre Dame will be played on Monday. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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