This time Shelby Miller was merely good rather than great, and that was enough for the Braves to win thanks to first-year second baseman Jace Peterson.
Peterson’s walk-off, two-out single in the 11th inning lifted the Braves to a 3-2 victory Saturday at Turner Field. Peterson’s hit Brewers reliever Brandon Kintzler’s first pitch cleanly to center field to score Alberto Callaspo from third base.
It was the second time in a week that Peterson had delivered a dramatic hit. His first career home run was a grand slam that put the Braves ahead for good at the Marlins a week earlier.
Peterson’s teammates were relatively subdued after that homer and he predicted they would celebrate more if he ever hit a walk-off. He was right: This time the Braves mobbed Peterson and covered him with dirt and water after he touched first base.
“It was great, man,” Peterson said. “It’s probably one of the funnest times I’ve had playing baseball, for sure. It was awesome.”
Miller made his first start since the Marlins broke up his no-hit bid with two outs in the ninth inning Sunday in Miami. He entered the game with the best ERA in the majors (1.33), the fewest walks and hits per inning allowed (0.84) and big-league bests of two complete games and two shutouts.
Miller allowed seven hits and two runs in six innings against the Brewers, which was not typical by his standards. In his past three starts before Saturday, Miller allowed a combined eight hits and one run while striking out 20 and pitching two complete-game shutouts.
“I didn’t have my best stuff today but my teammates did a good job hanging in there with me and making some good plays,” Miller said. “A.J. (Pierzynski) did a good job behind the plate. I didn’t have my sharpest stuff but, at the same time, just try to go out there every inning and battle and put up zeros. At the end of the day we got a win and that’s the most important thing.”
The Brewers had five hits and two runs after four innings against Miller. Carlos Gomez led off the game with a double and scored on Ryan Braun’s single, and the Brewers added another run in the fourth on Martin Maldonado’s RBI single.
The Braves were sleepy on offense again until Miller sparked them in the fifth inning. He smacked a one-out double down the left-field line and then scored on Cameron Maybin’s two-out double off the wall in right-center.
First baseman Freddie Freeman followed with a slow ground ball that made it through the infield for a double that scored Maybin. Jonny Gomes popped out to end the inning, but the Braves had the tie after Miller’s first hit of the season.
“We (pitchers) take hitting serious and we really work on it and at the end of the day sometimes it can win ballgames like it did today,” Miller said. “That’s why we take pride in that kind of stuff.”
The Brewers nearly regained the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Miller hit Aramis Ramirez with a pitch, gave up a single to Elian Herrera and then walked catcher Martin Maldonado to load the bases with one out.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell sent out Khris Davis to hit for starting pitcher Mike Fiers. Davis hit the first pitch weakly back to Miller, who started a double play to home plate and then pumped his fist and let out a scream as he headed for the dugout.
“I was pumped up,” Miller said. “That was a big pitch.”
The Braves erased two other good Milwaukee chances with strong defense.
Pinch hitter Jason Rogers walked with two outs in the ninth inning and Luis Sardinas followed with a single. Braves right fielder Nick Markakis hit shortstop Andrelton Simmons with the cut-off throw, and Simmons threw out Sardinas before the Brewers shortstop could scramble back to first base after making the turn.
The Brewers had two base runners in the 10th inning when Braves relief pitcher Luis Avilan got Adam Lind to hit a ground ball to Freeman, who started the 3-6-3 double play.
“That’s not an easy play,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “Between him and Simmons that might be the best (first-to-short) double-play combo in the major leagues. Both of those guys have great arms. They don’t have to try to speed it up and they are accurate.”
Brewers relief pitchers retired the Braves in order in the eighth and ninth innings before Freeman walked to lead off the bottom of the 10th. But the next batter, Markakis, struck out and Freeman was caught stealing as the rally fizzled.
The Braves got another chance to win when Callaspo walked and Simmons singled with one out in the 11th. Simmons’ hit likely would have been a double if the ball hadn’t hit third-base umpire Chad Fairchild in the leg and stopped in shallow left field.
Pinch hitter Eric Young Jr. moved Callaspo and Simmons over with a ground out, and then Peterson got the hit for the victory.
“Jace is the man of the hour,” Miller said. “I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
