The Milwaukee Brewers ended their three-game losing streak in emphatic fashion on Sunday, defeating the Atlanta Braves 9-4 at Truist Park. William Contreras delivered a stellar four-hit performance, highlighted by a three-run homer during a dominant eight-run second inning that turned the game in Milwaukee's favor.
Contreras Powers Explosive Second Inning
The Brewers' offense came alive in the second inning, sending 11 batters to the plate in an eight-run explosion that proved to be the difference in the game. Contreras, the All-Star catcher, was at the center of the rally, launching a three-run home run that helped Milwaukee build an insurmountable lead against Braves starter Bryce Elder.
The four-hit day was a complete performance from Contreras, who continued to showcase why he's one of the most productive catchers in the National League. His contributions were crucial in helping the Brewers avoid a series sweep after dropping the first two games of the weekend set in Atlanta.
Gasser Earns First Win of 2026
Left-hander Robert Gasser finally broke through for his first victory of the season, improving his record to 1-3. The 27-year-old starter had been winless through his first five starts of 2026 despite showing improved form in recent outings. Gasser entered the game with a 4.88 ERA but had pitched well in his previous start against Cleveland, tossing 5⅔ scoreless innings.
The win was particularly meaningful for Gasser, who had struggled to replicate his successful 2024 rookie campaign. His performance on Sunday gave the Brewers' bullpen some much-needed rest after back-to-back heartbreaking losses earlier in the series.
Brewers Bounce Back After Tough Series Start
The victory prevented what would have been a demoralizing three-game sweep at the hands of the NL East-leading Braves. Milwaukee had lost the first two games of the series in gut-wrenching fashion, including a walk-off home run by Ozzie Albies on Saturday that gave Atlanta a 4-3 victory.
The Brewers entered the series with a strong 45-27 record but found themselves on the wrong end of two close games before Sunday's offensive outburst. The eight-run second inning marked a significant turnaround for a team that had managed just seven total runs in the first two contests.
Elder Struggles in Braves Loss
The loss fell on Braves right-hander Bryce Elder, who saw his record drop to 5-5 after failing to escape the second inning. Elder, who had been solid for much of 2026 with a 3.15 ERA entering the game, was unable to contain Milwaukee's offense during the crucial second frame.
The 27-year-old had been coming off a rough outing against the Mets in which he allowed six runs, and Sunday's performance continued that trend. The Braves' pitching staff was unable to recover from the early deficit, as the Brewers' offense maintained control throughout the afternoon.
Looking Ahead
The Brewers will look to carry the momentum from Sunday's offensive explosion as they continue their road trip. For Milwaukee, getting Contreras going at the plate and seeing Gasser pick up his first win of the season are positive developments as they battle to maintain their position atop the NL Central.
The Braves, despite the loss, still completed a successful series by taking two of three games from one of the National League's top teams. Atlanta's strong home record keeps them in contention in the competitive NL East race.
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