Jake Bauers Nearly Retired. Now His Clutch Homer Has Brewers 1 Win From World Series/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Jake Bauers hit a decisive two-run homer as Milwaukee defeated Los Angeles 6-2 to move within one victory of the World Series. The Brewers slugger nearly retired two seasons ago before his growing family helped persuade him to continue playing. A renewed emphasis on competing rather than results has fueled his career-best season and pivotal postseason performances.
Quick Look
- Decisive swing: Bauers homered on the 11th pitch of his seventh-inning at-bat against Blake Snell.
- Series advantage: Milwaukee leads the Dodgers 3-0 in the best-of-seven NLCS.
- World Series pursuit: The Brewers are seeking their first appearance since 1982.
- Career crossroads: Bauers considered retirement after struggling offensively in 2024.
- Breakthrough season: He led Milwaukee with 26 home runs and an .874 OPS.
- Next game: Game 4 is Thursday in Los Angeles.
Deep Look
Jake Bauers Powers Brewers Within One Win of World Series
LOS ANGELES — Two seasons after considering retirement, Jake Bauers is helping carry the Milwaukee Brewers toward a World Series appearance.
His latest contribution came Wednesday in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, when an exhausting battle against Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell ended with the swing that put Milwaukee ahead for good.
Bauers launched a two-run homer in the seventh inning of the Brewers’ 6-2 victory, giving Milwaukee a commanding 3-0 series lead and an opportunity to reach its first World Series since 1982.
“Incredible at-bat,” manager Pat Murphy said.
Eleven-Pitch Battle Ends With Go-Ahead Home Run
Bauers fought off five pitches with two strikes before driving Snell’s 97 mph fastball 412 feet into right field.
The home run came on the 11th pitch of the plate appearance, rewarding the patience and persistence that have become central to his offensive approach.
“Super sick,” teammate Garrett Mitchell said. “I think that more just goes to show the type of player he is. It’s a selfless at-bat. He’s just trying to put the ball in play. He’s trying to move the guy over, and put an incredible swing on that. For me, being able to watch that on deck was awesome.”
Mitchell immediately followed with another home run, extending Milwaukee’s lead to 4-2 and ending Snell’s outing.
The Brewers can finish the best-of-seven series Thursday in Los Angeles.
Growing Family Helped Bauers Reconsider Retirement
Bauers’ postseason success follows a career that brought repeated moves and difficult decisions.
San Diego drafted him in 2013 out of Marina High School in Huntington Beach, roughly 40 miles south of Dodger Stadium.
He batted .202 for the New York Yankees in 2023 before being traded to Milwaukee that November. His average fell to .199 with the Brewers in 2024, leaving him ready to walk away from baseball.
Then his wife told him she was pregnant.
Bauers decided to keep playing to provide for their expanding family and maintain their health insurance.
Earlier this week, he discussed his appreciation for his wife and the sacrifices involved in raising their two energetic children while he travels for baseball.
A Different Mindset Fuels Bauers’ Breakthrough
Now 31, Bauers credits his improvement to lessons gathered throughout his career and a change in how he approaches each opportunity.
“There’s a lot of people to credit, man,” Bauers said after Wednesday’s game. “I’ve played a lot of places. I’ve picked up knowledge from a lot of different people.
“I think what changed for me this year was I stopped caring about results. I started caring about competing. I started caring about being in the moment and getting out of my own way.”
That approach has made him a productive presence in the middle of Milwaukee’s lineup during his third season with the club.
The Brewers are his fifth team across seven major league seasons. A first baseman and corner outfielder, Bauers finished the regular season with team highs of 26 home runs and an .874 OPS.
Game 2 Walk Showed the Same Persistence
Bauers’ decisive Game 3 homer followed another extended plate appearance that helped swing Game 2.
Facing Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the third inning, Bauers worked a two-out walk on the 12th pitch to load the bases.
Christian Yelich followed with a two-run single, putting Milwaukee ahead 3-2 and bringing Yamamoto’s outing to an end.
The Brewers went on to win 7-4.
Across those two games, Bauers demonstrated how an extended at-bat can create an opening for the entire lineup, whether it ends with a home run or a walk.
Career-Best Numbers Reflect His Offensive Growth
Bauers paired his power with disciplined strike-zone judgment throughout the regular season.
He drew 94 walks, posted a .389 on-base percentage and drove in 86 runs across 144 games, establishing career highs throughout his offensive numbers.
“Jake got an opportunity, that’s what he got,” Murphy said. “He got an opportunity to contribute, and he kind of found his offensive approach. And he kind of found, like, I’m really talented, but this is what serves me best. It’s a growth in the game. He’s continued to grow.”
For Bauers, the breakthrough began with allowing himself to trust his ability.
“I came into this year feeling like there was really only one person holding me back, and that was myself,” Bauers said. “So I think I just gave myself the space to believe that I could play — I could play in this league.”
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