The Milwaukee Brewers are now two wins away from their first World Series title, thanks to an unlikely hero.
Lefty reliever Aaron Ashby has been a reliable reliever in the past three seasons, but he has completely dominated the competition this postseason. Ashby has been the Brewers’ best reliever, over closer Trevor Megill, and it showed in Milwaukee’s Game 2 win on Saturday night.
Manager Pat Murphy trusted Ashby to get the final five outs in a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays instead of turning to Megill. That remained the case even when Ashby allowed a leadoff double in the ninth inning, and even when the dangerous Yandy Diaz was at the plate.
AARON ASHBY SLAMS THE DOOR SHUT IN GAME 2 https://t.co/rTY97Y86pX
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) October 25, 2026
Ashby’s performance has not only put the Brewers up 2-0, but it has also put his name on an exclusive list of playoff performers. Here’s a look at the history Ashby is making this October.
More: History says Rays in trouble after game 2 loss
Aaron Ashby’s historic 2026 postseason
- Innings pitched: 15.2
- Hits: 5
- Runs: 0
- Strikeouts: 17
In eight Ashby appearances, Pat Murphy has now asked the lefty to get at least five outs seven times, and Ashby has now closed the game with a save three times in the playoffs.
After throwing 1.2 scoreless innings in Game 2 on Saturday night, Ashby has now thrown 15.2 innings of scoreless baseball in the postseason. That puts him one out away from Andrew Miller’s all-time record of 16 scoreless innings to begin a postseason, which Miller set with Cleveland in 2016.
Most consecutive scoreless innings to start a postseason, relievers: 2016 Andrew Miller: 16 2026 Aaron Ashby: 15 2/3 *active 1984 Andy Hawkins: 15 1/3 1981 Goose Gossage: 14 1/3 (entire postseason run) h/t @EliasSports
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 25, 2026
Like Miller, Ashby is being used for multiple innings and against the opposing teams’ best hitters, regardless of whether they are lefties or righties. Ashby is a former starter, just like Miller, so he isn’t a stranger to giving the Brewers multiple innings.
Aaron Ashby is the first pitcher in postseason history to get at least 5 outs in six consecutive appearances and not allow a run in any of them
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 25, 2026
Miller ultimately let up three runs in his final two playoff appearances during that 2016 playoff run. Therefore, if Ashby doesn’t allow a run the rest of the way, he will hold the record for most innings in a single playoff run without letting up a run.
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