First career pinch-hit home run? Yelich delivers decisive blow, Brewers complete stunning sweep with comeback win.

Christian Yelich has done many things in his career, but he had never hit a pinch-hit home run.

"The first one came at such a crucial moment," he said after today's game.

The Milwaukee Brewers fell behind 0-4 before recording their first out in this game, trailed 2-7 in the third inning, and were still down 3-7 entering the eighth inning, but they staged a massive comeback to defeat the White Sox 9-7, completing a season-opening three-game sweep at home in American Family Field.

The climax of this weekend finale's comeback occurred in the eighth inning, when the Brewers erupted for six runs. With two outs and two strikes, Yelich launched his first career pinch-hit three-run homer, a ball that nearly scraped the roof of Milwaukee's stadium and curled inside the right-field foul pole. Just before that, Luis Rengifo had delivered a two-run RBI single to narrow the deficit to one run, marking his first hit as a Brewers player.

"That's how we play," Yelich said. "Our roster is similar to last year. Not that we keep talking about last year, but we're a mature team that has experienced ups and downs throughout a season. We've been behind, and we've come back to win. So today everyone's mindset was, 'It's fine, we can catch up, one run at a time.'"

Signs of this comeback were evident early. Gary Sánchez's two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning was an initial signal that the game would be long, coming after two outs. Brandon Lockridge's RBI single in the sixth inning was another such sign.

In the eighth inning, Joey Ortiz led off with a single. After Blake Perkins drew a walk with one out, Brice Turang hit a first-pitch single, forcing left-handed reliever Chris Murphy out of the game. After White Sox closer Seranthony Domínguez entered and induced William Contreras to pop out in the infield, Rengifo connected on the seventh pitch for a hit, making the score 6-7.

"I guess having every batter fight him to seven pitches must be pretty annoying," said Brewers closer Trevor Megill, who earned his first save of the season in the ninth inning. "That definitely wears down a pitcher. That's how we play."

Even Yelich, who pinch-hit for Sánchez to gain an advantage against the right-handed pitcher, battled Domínguez to the fifth pitch. That's no easy task for a hitter coming off the bench.

Yelich has won a National League MVP award once and finished second another time, so he isn't accustomed to pinch-hitting. Before today, he had 37 career pinch-hit appearances, with 7 hits in 31 at-bats and no extra-base hits.

"It's extremely difficult, but Yelich stepped into the batter's box with the confidence of his 13-year career," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. "He fought every pitch. That's why he's such a great leader."

Brewers new rotation member Brandon Sproat had no decision in this outing. He allowed a home run in each of his three innings, including a grand slam by Colson Montgomery with no outs in the first inning. Sproat exited after throwing 86 pitches over three innings, which also meant there was plenty of game time remaining.

"We just battled all day," Yelich said. "We got into trouble early, but in the dugout everyone kept saying, 'Get closer, then we'll have a chance at the end. Keep grinding.'"

Sproat is learning that the Brewers often play this way. "These guys can hit," the 25-year-old right-hander said. "Seeing them never give up today is really reassuring for a pitcher. Whether you pitch well or poorly like I did today, you know your teammates will keep fighting for you."

It's only three games against one opponent, but the Brewers lead the league after their opening weekend series with 29 runs scored, a 0.972 OPS, and a 184 weighted runs created plus. They tied the modern-era nine-inning team strikeout record in Friday's opener, stole seven bases successfully yesterday, and today's comeback was a perfect finale.

"Having a game like this so early in the season is something to remember," Murphy said.

"We have a long way to go," Yelich said. "It's a good start, but we have to stay focused and live in the moment."