Aaron

Ashby

Ashby got the final two outs in the eighth inning, and the Brewers stuck with the southpaw for the final frame. He did allow a double to Jonny DeLuca to begin that inning, but he fanned Victor Mesa, got Ben Williamson to groundout meekly to second, and struck out Yandy Díaz to end the game. Trevor Megill will likely get a save chance if it’s there in Game 3, but it’s to say that Ashby isn’t the best reliever for the Brewers going right now.

Ashby took over in the seventh inning with the Brewers clinging to a 5-4 lead. He allowed a leadoff double to Andy Pages, who then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt with one out. Ashby battled back though, striking out Shohei Ohtani and then getting Mookie Betts on a ground out to end the threat. He faced a similar situation in the eighth as Will Smith smacked a one-out double and advanced to third on an error. Ashby again came through, getting Kyle Tucker on a shallow fly ball to center before retiring Teoscar Hernandez on strikes. The 28-year-old southpaw then worked a perfect ninth inning to close it out and punch the Brewers’ ticket to the World Series for the first time since 1982.

Ashby was summoned to record the final two outs of the eighth inning before coming back out to protect a three-run advantage in the ninth. He got Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith to fly out before punching out pinch-hitter Miguel Rojas to end it. Milwaukee’s bullpen has been absolutely sensational through the first two games of the NLCS, reeling off 9 2/3 consecutive scoreless frames during that span.

Ashby has his first postseason victory after collecting 11 during the regular season. He pitched in three of the four games against the Brewers, turning in 5 2/3 scoreless innings.

Ashby got the final six outs to pick up his fourth save of the campaign. The southpaw didn’t allow a hit and struck out two while lowering his ERA to a healthy 3.12. Ashby may not be asked to convert saves in the postseason, but he’s going to be someone the Brewers turn to in high-leverage situations. They should, anyway.

With Trevor Megill unavailable after pitching in three of the last four games, Ashby got the call to close out Saturday’s contest against the Orioles with a one-run lead. He made quick work of Baltimore, striking out one in a clean frame for his third save of the season.

With Abner Uribe on the IL, Ashby is now the fallback to Trevor Megill, and it’s gotten him two saves in seven days. Megill rested today after earning saves on both Thursday and Friday. Ashby did get into a little trouble, giving up a pair of singles, but he got Austin Riley to hit into a double play to end the game.

Ashby has been the Brewers’ win specialist in relief, of course, but it’s still rather surprising that this is his very first save. He got the call tonight with Trevor Megill due another day off and Abner Uribe on the IL. He’s probably looking at more eighth-inning duty and fewer wins while Uribe is out.

The Brewers have asked for a whole lot from Ashby this year, even when they scarcely seemed to need him. For instance, just last night, he was brought in to get one out in the sixth inning of a game with no one on and the team leading by five. Whether Ashby has enough left in October figures to have a significant impact on the Brewers’ chances then, and one would think it’s past time to back off him somewhat. He’s given up 19 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings since the beginning of June, taking his ERA from 2.00 to 4.02.

Ashby got the call to close out the game against the Braves with a one-run lead in the ninth following a scoreless eighth inning by Trevor Megill. Ashby struck out the first batter, then gave up a base hit to Matt Olson. Ozzie Albies followed with a two-run homer to walk it off. Ashby takes his first loss and third blown save. Despite the matchup play on Saturday, expect Megill to continue regular closing duties.