Joey Ortiz explains how Milwaukee Brewers keeps winning the NL Central year after year

The Milwaukee Brewers clinched their fourth straight National League Central title Tuesday night. They beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 at PNC Park, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Chicago Cubs 6-3 later that night at Wrigley Field.

The division title is Milwaukee’s fifth in six seasons. The Brewers, 94-57, lined up their top starters for the Pittsburgh series.

Jacob Misiorowski threw five scoreless innings for the win, allowing five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Shortstop Joey Ortiz went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. He spoke after the win, while the Cubs game was still being played, in postgame video posted by MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.

Sep 8, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Having Misiorowski pitch on a possible clinch night was an easy call for Ortiz.

“Of course. He’s our ace,” Ortiz said. “We want him on the mound all the time. Like I said earlier, all we’ve got to do is score one run, and we feel like we’re going to win.”

Milwaukee scored one in the second inning, when Luis Lara’s sacrifice fly brought home Jake Bauers.

Misiorowski threw 82 pitches, 62 for strikes, and improved to 15-5. His ERA dropped from 1.95 to 1.89. Coming in, his ERA and strikeout total both led the majors.

A reporter in the availability relayed that Misiorowski did not feel he had his best stuff.

“If that’s not his best stuff, I’d hate to see his best stuff,” Ortiz said. “I’m glad he’s on our team, that’s for sure.”

Ortiz said Misiorowski goes right after hitters.

“He’s not scared of anyone,” Ortiz said. “It definitely keeps you locked in as a defender.”

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz (3) hits a solo home run off of San Diego Padres pitcher Matt Waldron during the third inning of their game Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee acquired Ortiz from the Baltimore Orioles in the February 2024 trade that sent Corbin Burnes to Baltimore. He has been on the roster for the Brewers’ last three division titles.

This year’s club does not feel different to him.

“Honestly, no,” Ortiz said. “I feel like we have the same camaraderie, and we all have the same mindset, and that’s win tonight and focus on whatever game we’re in. I don’t really feel like it’s too different.”

Ortiz watched it from the other side first. He said that during his time with Baltimore, “it was always the same,” and Milwaukee “always found a way.”

“It’s pretty cool to be a part of now, and hopefully they keep wondering,” Ortiz said.

Controlling what they can was a theme he came back to more than once.

“I think it’s just competing, focusing on the stuff we can control, worrying about today and nothing else,” Ortiz said. “I feel like we just have a bunch of competitors on the team who want to do what we can to win, and I don’t really think we think too much about it.”

The Brewers did not homer Tuesday. They scored four times in the sixth on a wild pitch, a Lara RBI double and Ortiz’s two-run single.

A reporter described the Brewers as a team that can single opponents to death. Ortiz took the description and ran with it.

“We focus on what we can control, and if the big long ball isn’t part of our game, then, like you said, we’ll single them to death,” Ortiz said. “It’s about putting runs on the board, and however we’ve got to do that is how we’re going to do it. I think we stick to our plan and stick to who we are and try and be the best at what we can be.”

Milwaukee and Pittsburgh continue the series Wednesday at 5:40 p.m. CT. Logan Henderson is lined up to start for the Brewers.
from Wisconsin Sports Heroics

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