It all stems from the hit Jackson Chourio delivered on the night of Tuesday, September 8. With Milwaukee trailing 3x1 in the bottom of the ninth inning and two outs, the Venezuelan slugger blasted a game-tying, two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs. The game went into extra innings, where fellow Venezuelan Luis Lara drove in the decisive run in the tenth to seal a 4x3 victory. This performance cemented Chourio’s reputation as the team’s "clutch" player, as he posted impressive metrics in such high-pressure situations which are detailed below (including a .324 batting average).

Furthermore, what elevates this moment beyond a mere timely hit is its significance for the franchise; that victory marked the Brewers' 90th win of the season a milestone Milwaukee reached faster than in any other year in its history. The result also extended the Brewers' lead over the Cubs in the National League Central to nine games, leaving a "magic number" of just seven wins needed to clinch the division title for the fourth consecutive season.

Major Leagues MLB: Yordan Alvarez and Aaron Judge dominate stats with runners in scoring position since 2020

A growing reputation as a "big-moment player"

The Venezuelan standout continues to build his reputation as a "clutch performer" in Milwaukee. From the seventh inning onwards, Chourio is batting .324 with three doubles, two home runs, 12 RBIs, seven walks, and an .840 OPS, according to research by El Extrabase.

With this hit, Milwaukee secured its fourth comeback of the season from a deficit of two or more runs in the ninth inning or later, a feat the team had achieved only three times combined over the previous three seasons.

Jackson Chourio himself explained to ESPN after the game that he enjoys such high-pressure situations: "I like playing with that pressure," he stated through his interpreter, adding that he feels the adrenaline "takes my game to another level." His teammate Garrett Mitchell also backed that reputation, noting: "I probably wouldn't want anyone else in that situation."

"Sometimes, I feel like I was born for those moments. Other times, I like the pressure that comes with them. I don't know why, but I know I enjoy them," said Venezuelan Jackson Chourio for ESPN.

It is worth noting that team manager Pat Murphy also heaped praise on him after the game:

"He knows he’s a great player. He knows what he’s doing. Yes, he loves it. He loves it and gives it his all; he believes in himself. He knows what he’s capable of, and when he hits his stride, you have to watch out. We’ve seen it too many times over his first three years".

A Home Run that also set a personal best

The home run against Chicago was Jackson Chourio's 22nd of the season, surpassing the mark of 21 he had set in each of his first two Major League campaigns. This achievement is all the more impressive considering the 22-year-old Venezuelan began the year with a hand fracture, sustained during the World Baseball Classic, that delayed his debut until May 4. Despite that setback, Chourio is also on track to set personal bests in batting average (.286), on-base percentage (.343), and slugging percentage (.484).

According to data from Baseball Savant, in 2026 Chourio has recorded an average exit velocity of 91.8 mph, a 47.4% hard-hit rate, a .349 wOBA, a .331 xwOBA, and a 12.4% barrel rate, figures that confirm the leap in quality he has made as a power hitter this season.

Who is Jackson Chourio?

Jackson Chourio is a Venezuelan outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers and one of Major League Baseball's most dazzling young talents. After signing a historic contract before making his MLB debut, he quickly established himself thanks to an electrifying combination of power, speed, and defensive reliability.

His ability to hit home runs and steal bases makes him a consistent force at the plate, marking him as a superstar and the face of Venezuelan hitting in the Major Leagues.

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