Murphy Benches Brewers Rookie Pratt Over Lack of Effort in Loss to Mets

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy delivered a pointed message to rookie Cooper Pratt on Tuesday night, removing the young shortstop from the game after he failed to execute a sacrifice bunt and displayed a lack of urgency running the bases during New York’s 3-2 victory in 10 innings at Citi Field.

In the third inning with runners on first and second, Pratt pulled back on a fastball down the middle while attempting the bunt before grounding out weakly to the pitcher. Murphy’s frustration intensified in the fifth when Pratt hit a shallow fly ball to right field, paused momentarily at the plate, and jogged rather than sprinted to first base.

The ball fell in fair territory between three Mets defenders, and Pratt’s lack of hustle cost him the opportunity to reach second base. Murphy immediately replaced him with pinch-runner David Hamilton, signaling his disapproval to the entire roster. Hamilton would later commit the walk-off throwing error in the 10th.

Pratt, who turned 22 last week and signed a lucrative eight-year, $50.75 million contract with Milwaukee, acknowledged his mistakes. “I should have been running hard, no matter if it is foul or fair,” the sixth-round 2023 draft pick said. “There’s a certain way to play here and I didn’t do that.”

Murphy emphasized the non-negotiable nature of baserunning effort at the major league level. “You’ve got to be locked in if you’re going to play at this level,” the two-time defending National League Manager of the Year said. The Brewers, who maintain baseball’s best record at 81-51, are pursuing their fourth consecutive NL Central title.