CINCINNATI — Christian Yelich displayed resilience in the face of adversity, proving that a bruised right hand wouldn’t hinder his performance. As the Milwaukee Brewers’ designated hitter, recently honored as the National League’s Player of the Week, Yelich took to the field in Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. He further solidified his impressive form by smashing a solo home run in the third inning, securing a 3-2 victory for the Brewers.
“Sore hand or not, he crushed two balls tonight. So, he’s living up to his Player of the Week reputation,” said Brewers’ manager Pat Murphy, emphasizing Yelich’s continued excellence.
Yelich’s determination was on full display after an injury scare in the previous game against the Philadelphia Phillies, where a sinker from Ranger Suarez left him in discomfort. Despite this, X-rays showed no fractures, and the 2018 NL MVP ensured he wouldn’t miss out on any action.
“I spent the rest of yesterday working on it, utilized time on the flight here from Philadelphia, and started early today. Once I knew it wasn’t broken, getting back out there was the focus. We pride ourselves on showing up for each other and being available to play,” Yelich commented.
Yelich’s ongoing contributions are a driving force behind the Brewers’ current eight-game winning streak. With a nine-game hitting streak, marking the second-longest active run in the league, Yelich boasts a .450 batting average (18 for 40), including six home runs and 14 RBIs. This marks the sixth time Yelich has received the NL Player of the Week award, his first since April 2019, having notably achieved a walk-off grand slam on May 27 against the Boston Red Sox.
Extending his hitting streak, Yelich powered Brady Singer’s slider to deep center on a full count, sending the ball 417 feet into the batter’s eye.Reflecting on the moment, Yelich shared, “With a 3-2 count, you never really know what’s coming. After a couple of sliders I missed, I anticipated it might happen again.”
In the sixth inning, Yelich threatened with a drive to center field that seemed destined for extra bases, until Cincinnati’s TJ Friedl made an impressive leaping catch.
The seasoned 33-year-old, a two-time NL batting champion, overcame a challenging stretch last season, missing 81 games due to a lower back injury. Since May 21, when he was batting .184, Yelich has significantly improved his average, adding 49 points during his streak. With 13 home runs this season, he stands tied for eighth in the National League rankings.
Manager Murphy praised Yelich’s dedication, “He’s committed to improving. He’s been at this a long time and feels a strong sense of duty to his teammates. He doesn’t give himself the credit he deserves.”
With one of his best six-year streaks ongoing, Yelich remains committed to the present, highlighting his unwavering focus.
“Every season is unique, each with its challenges,” he remarked. “I aim to stay centered on daily tasks, letting go of past performances, and maintaining clarity on my goals for each day. It’s all about staying focused and blocking out distractions.”