Full Breakdown
Woodruff's Return Powers Brewers to 2-1 Victory Over Reds
6/23/2026, 12:59:56 PM
Game Summary: Woodruff Leads Brewers to Win
Milwaukee’s right-hander Brandon Woodruff made his first start since April 30 and carried the first-place Brewers to a 2-1 win at Great American Ball Park on June 22. Woodruff allowed one hit through six innings, retired the first 16 batters, and struck out 10—the 10 strikeouts were two shy of his career high—including his 900th career strikeout. Joey Ortiz’s sacrifice fly in the 10th produced the go-ahead run after a wild-pitch error allowed Garrett Mitchell to score. Trevor Megill earned the win and Joel Kuhnel recorded his fifth save.
Background: Injury and Milestones
Woodruff entered the injured list on May 1 with right-shoulder inflammation that reduced his fastball velocity to the mid-80s. An MRI showed no structural damage, and he began a gradual rehab with the ACL Brewers and High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, logging nine innings, six runs, and 11 strikeouts. His return marked the longest perfect-game bid of his career and the fourth-longest in the majors this season. The 900th strikeout placed him sixth on the Brewers’ all-time list with 906 strikeouts.
Data & Statistics
- Woodruff: 1 hit, 0 walks, 10 K in 6 IP; 16 consecutive outs before a single by Tyler Stephenson.
- 900th strikeout: 906 career K, sixth in Brewers history.
- Brewers: 46-29 overall, first in NL Central, .256/.340/.394 line, 68 HR, 397 runs.
- Reds: 37-39 overall, fifth in NL Central, .229/.311/.395 line, 96 HR, 325 runs.
Official Statements & Responses
Woodruff emphasized that returning healthy was his priority, acknowledging he may have rushed his comeback but aimed to give the team his best effort. Manager Pat Murphy highlighted Woodruff’s outing as a “special” performance that underscores his value to the club.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Obviously pitching well is a huge boost to the team,” — Brandon Woodruff, Brewers pitcher
- “I wanted to be back a couple turns early, but that's probably not the best thing for me.” — Brandon Woodruff
- “I was just really, really happy for him,” — Pat Murphy, Brewers manager
- “Because of what he means to the club and how he goes about his business. Six innings, one base runner. It's just a special outing. It's pitching in its greatest form.” — Pat Murphy, Brewers manager
- “It was very minor once we figured out what it was,” — Brandon Woodruff
Why It Matters
Woodruff’s health restores a top-five starter to Milwaukee’s rotation, reinforcing the team’s lead in the NL Central and providing depth ahead of a demanding stretch of division games. His 900th strikeout also cements his growing legacy within the franchise.
What’s Next
The Brewers will start Brandon Sproat (1-4, 5.94 ERA) against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo on June 23, while the Reds anticipate Elly De La Cruz’s activation on Tuesday, potentially revitalizing Cincinnati’s offense for the remainder of the series.
