Aaron Ashby has quietly become one of the biggest reasons the Milwaukee Brewers are three wins away from their first World Series title. The left-hander credits a simple lesson from his father for his turnaround.
Ashby added more scoreless relief to his growing postseason resume in Milwaukee’s 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 on Friday night at American Family Field. Afterward, he was asked whether he is as calm as he looks on the mound.
“I feel like it. For the most part, I do feel that way,” Ashby said, via Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Just trying to take deep breaths and pick my leg up and go home.”
When asked whether that poise has always been part of his game, Ashby pointed to his father.
“Something my dad always told me growing up was composure, and something that’s kind of stuck with me here,” Ashby said. “So just trying to keep the composure and not flinch.”
It has worked. Ashby has yet to allow a run this postseason, joining a short list of relievers, including Mariano Rivera and Goose Gossage, to throw at least 12 straight scoreless innings in a single October. The run is a far cry from last fall, when he posted a 5.40 ERA in the playoffs.
Ashby, though, is not ready to soak it in.
“I think when it’s all said and done, I’ll be able to enjoy it,” Ashby said. “But right now, it just feels like we’ve got another one tomorrow. Certainly grateful to be trusted in these opportunities.”
He also praised the teammates who helped close out Game 1. Trevor Megill survived a tense ninth inning, striking out Jonny DeLuca after a game-ending double play was overturned on replay.
“Crazy credit to Megill for having that unload of adrenaline and emotion,” Ashby said. “And then to have that thing overturned and get back there and get a strikeout, that’s huge. That’s why he’s the guy in the ninth for us.”
William Contreras also got his attention after throwing out two runners trying to steal.
“He’s got a special arm,” Ashby said. “I think the accuracy of the throws tonight was unbelievable.”
The Brewers will try to take a 2-0 series lead in Game 2 on Saturday night in Milwaukee.