Brewers use best 60-game stretch in team history to state case as best team in the major leagues

ATLANTA (AP) — Before Tuesday night's 7-2 win at Atlanta, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn't tell you five players on our team.”

A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans.

After all, it's difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend its lead in the NL Central but also boasts the best record in the majors.

“What we're doing in here right now is special,” said right-hander Freddy Peralta after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings while setting a career high with his 13th win.

“We're just enjoying the game and coming to compete every day,” Peralta said. “We have to keep it that way.”

Peralta was surprised to learn he had established a career high for wins in a season.

“It always feels good to get the win as a team but also personally for me, it's a big deal,” Peralta said.

Murphy said Peralta, who was named to this year NL All-Star team, is "just getting started. ... This is the best Freddy has ever been. I thought he was really, really good.”

The Brewers lead second-place Chicago by four games in the NL Central following the Cubs' 5-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.

The Brewers have a five-game winning streak. They have won six straight road games and are 44-16 in their last 60 games overall. It's the best 60-game stretch in team history.

Murphy said it will be important for players to keep their focus in the final stretch of the regular season.

“We really have to be disciplined right now, more than ever before," Murphy said after the Brewers (69-44) moved 25 games over .500, their best record of the season.

Milwaukee's road success has been an important part of the surge to first place. The team's 33-24 road record gives the Brewers the best winning percentage (.579) away from home in baseball. The record includes winning the first two games of the three-game series in Atlanta.

“You can't assume everything is going to go our way going forward,” Murphy said, adding he recognized the Brewers were fortunate to avoid giving up more runs Tuesday night when the Braves left 14 runners on base, tied for their highest total in the last two seasons.

The Brewers also have made key moves this year, including their trade for first baseman Andrew Vaughn on June 13.

Vaughn has an 11-game hitting streak, matching his career high, following a two-run single on Tuesday night. He is hitting .429 with four homers and 14 RBIs during is hitting streak. He is hitting .370 since joining the Brewers.

Murphy said his players “are hungry” and “don't every try to play safe.”

As for the lack of national recognition, Murphy just smiled.

“That's the fun of it,” he said.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Milwaukee Brewers' Blake Perkins (16) celebrates scoring off the bat of Christian Yelich's RBI-single against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Milwaukee Brewers' Isaac Collins (6) celebrates scoring off the bat of Brice Turang in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Anthony Seigler (18) makes the catch against Atlanta Braves' Michael Harris II in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Grant Anderson (56) works against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin (21) embraces Andrew Vaughn (28) after a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

LONDON (AP) — Darts phenom Luke Littler will bid for a second straight world title after reaching his third final in a row on Friday.

The 18-year-old Littler beat Ryan Searle 6-1 in the semifinals at Alexandra Palace and will try to become the first player to win back-to-back titles since Gary Anderson a decade ago.

Anderson could have been Littler's opponent in Saturday's final but lost 6-3 to Gian van Veen, a 23-year-old Dutchman who won the Youth World Championship in November.

Whoever wins will claim a record prize of 1 million pounds ($1.35 million).

“It’s a massive prize, but it’s the trophy on the stage, it’s not the money,” Littler said, “... so hopefully I can lift the trophy again and think about the money after.

“It feels great, not many people have done it, the first three world championships reaching the final. I have joined a short list of people doing that. Now obviously the only goal is to join the list of people going back-to-back champions.”

Littler reached the final in 2024 at the age of 16, losing to Luke Humphries, but beat Michael van Gerwen in last year's final.

Van Veen has followed in the footsteps of countrymen Raymond van Barneveld and Van Gerwen in getting to the final.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

England's Ryan Searle reacts during his semifinal match against England's Luke Littler at the World Darts Championships, at Alexandra Palace in London, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Luke Littler shakes hands with You Tuber Angryginge after winning the World Darts Championships semifinal match against England's Ryan Searle at Alexandra Palace in London, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Luke Littler, left, reacts after winning the World Darts Championships semifinal match against England's Ryan Searle at Alexandra Palace in London, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Luke Littler throws a dart during the World Darts Championships semifinal match against England's Ryan Searle at Alexandra Palace in London, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Luke Littler reacts during his semifinal match against England's Ryan Searle at the World Darts Championships, at Alexandra Palace in London, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.(AP Photo/Dave Shopland)