Brewers News: Andrew Vaughn Shines in Brewers Debut, Earns High Praise from Pat Murphy
MILWAUKEE — Andrew Vaughn made a thunderous first impression in his debut for the Milwaukee Brewers, delivering a three-run home run in his very first plate appearance and helping propel the team to a dominant 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Vaughn, who was recently acquired by Milwaukee, wasted no time in showcasing his power. Facing Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the first inning, Vaughn blasted a 409-foot homer to left-center field, giving the Brewers an early lead and energizing the home crowd at American Family Field. The hit was part of a five-run first inning that chased Yamamoto from the game after recording just two outs.
“It was a welcome and, ‘Hey, go do your thing,’” Vaughn said when asked about his mindset heading into the game. “I just wanted to contribute and make a good first impression.”
Manager Pat Murphy had nothing but praise for Vaughn’s debut, highlighting not just the numbers, but the composure and confidence the 27-year-old brought to the clubhouse.
“To have him show up the first day at noon, not know anybody, then get a huge hit in the first inning — it was a great way to say, ‘Here I am,’” Murphy said. “He was a force today. A guy who hits the ball hard, gets on base, and sets the tone.”
Vaughn finished the game 1-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored, and three RBIs. His debut homer made him just the fifth player in Brewers history to homer in his first plate appearance with the team.
The Brewers also got a strong performance from starting pitcher Freddy Peralta, who went six shutout innings with seven strikeouts, improving his record to 10-4 on the season. Christian Yelich added a two-run homer in the sixth inning — his 18th of the season — as Milwaukee extended its lead and never looked back.
Vaughn’s opportunity came after first baseman Rhys Hoskins was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained thumb. With Hoskins expected to miss several weeks, Vaughn could play a major role moving forward.
If his debut is any indication, the Brewers may have found a powerful new weapon for their playoff push.