Brewers hang on for Game 1 win vs. Padres after France's potential HR hits roof

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 03: Ty France #25 of the San Diego Padres reacts after flying out after his hit bounced off of the roof during the ninth inning in game one of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 03, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
John Fisher / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The San Diego Padres were on the wrong end of some bad luck during Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.

With a runner on and one out in the ninth, Padres first baseman Ty France hit a moonshot that looked to be destined for the seats when it hit the roof at American Family Field and ended up in the glove of outfielder Jackson Chourio.

The play was originally deemed an out and the call on the field was upheld after it was challenged by the Padres. According to the stadium's ground rules, any ball that comes into contact with the roof in fair territory remains a fair ball.

"I haven't been able to fully process that," France said postgame, according to The Athletic's Britt Ghiroli. "But that was a game-changing swing."

In the next at-bat, Brewers closer Trevor Megill got a lineout from Jackson Merrill to seal Milwaukee's victory.

Padres manager Craig Stammen said his team thought France's ball was going out of the park off the bat.

"I think so. You never know. You look at the exit velo, look at launch angle, you plug AI into it and figure out how far it will go," Stammen said, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Curt Hogg.

Had France's fly ball landed in the seats, the Padres would've taken the lead into the bottom of the ninth and potentially handed the game over to All-Star closer Mason Miller.

Instead, the Brewers take a 1-0 series lead. Manager Pat Murphy attributed the good fortune to legendary former Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker, who passed away in January of 2025.

"I'm telling you, Ueck reached up there and knocked that ball down," Murphy said postgame, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS

More Stories