Freeman is OK after 98.2 mph helmet shot as Misiorowski sets 101+ record in Brewers’ 7-1 win

DENVER. Tyler Freeman took a pitch off the side of his batting helmet in the sixth inning and left the game after being attended to, but Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said Freeman “took it about as good as anybody” and was fine. The incident came as Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, already known for extreme velocity, recorded what became another landmark performance in a 7-1 Milwaukee win over the Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday night. Freeman was under observation and did not make himself available afterward for interviews, though teammates indicated he escaped serious injury.

The part of the night that drew instant attention, even before the helmet shot, was Misiorowski’s pitch-speed output. According to MLB reporting, Misiorowski threw 45 pitches of at least 101 mph, a record dating to official pitch tracking that began in 2008. He also topped the 100-mph threshold 52 times, a total that was only surpassed in the pitch-tracking era by a 57-pitch outing on May 25 against the Cardinals.

Misiorowski did not just reach a high-water mark once. He also delivered a 103.7 mph pitch, described by MLB as the fastest recorded by a starting pitcher since tracking began in 2008. The Brewers benefitted from that steady barrage in Coors Field’s hitter-friendly environment, where baseballs typically fly farther and scoring can come in waves. Even with the context of Coors, MLB noted Misiorowski limited the damage while working through multiple traffic points.

The Freeman hit-by-pitch happened as the Brewers were leading 2-1. The moment started with Jake McCarthy’s leadoff infield single, and then Misiorowski’s 98.2 mph cutter struck Freeman in the helmet. Freeman rose quickly and received attention, and Colorado removed him immediately. The hit also disrupted Misiorowski’s rhythm in the inning, as he issued a one-out walk to Hunter Goodman to load the bases, but the Rockies could not capitalize.

In MLB’s account, Misiorowski said the pitch “lost the ball” for him and that he lost grip, adding that he was not aiming at Freeman. The Brewers’ catcher, William Contreras, and the mound-to-dugout communication around the jam captured a different side of the performance, where composure mattered as much as arm strength. Colorado tried to turn the loaded situation into a swing for the lead, but the key chance went nowhere as Misiorowski escaped further harm without allowing the rally to take hold.

From there, Milwaukee stretched the margin, scoring five runs over the next two innings after struggling through the moment in the sixth. MLB also pointed to the larger team context behind Misiorowski’s willingness to go deep into high-leverage frames, noting that the Brewers’ bullpen had been “decimated by injuries,” and that the plan included minimizing tax on relievers by leaning on the starter to finish.

The story now turns to two practical questions. First, Freeman’s status matters for a Rockies lineup that needed him in the mix, especially given how frequently velocity can force uncomfortable swings and late decisions when a lineup is already adjusting to pitch-to-pitch battle. Second, for the Brewers, Misiorowski’s combination of record-setting speed and workload history creates a watch item: how long he can sustain that output without diminishing control. For Milwaukee, the win reinforced the pitching foundation behind its hold on the National League Central lead, while Misiorowski’s performance kept him firmly in the conversation as a top-tier starter early in the season.