Milwaukee Brewers to sit out game after Jacob Blake shooting

The Milwaukee Brewers will sit out a Wednesday night home game against the Cincinnati Reds in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake following a similar move by the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks earlier in the day.

The Reds have also agreed not to play, meaning the Brewers will not forfeit the game, according to The Wall Street Journal’s Jared Diamond.

The Reds have agreed not to play as well. No forfeit situation. Both teams have agreed to sit out tonight’s game. https://t.co/BZJAg8GujJ

— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) August 26, 2020

The Bucks announced they would sit out the playoff game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday afternoon.

“The stand taken today by the players and org shows that we’re fed up. Enough is enough. Change needs to happen. I’m incredibly proud of our guys and we stand 100% behind our players ready to assist and bring about real change,” Bucks senior vice president Alex Lasry said.

The announcement comes two days after Brewers pitcher Devin Williams scratched “BLM” into the mound Monday night during a home game. Kenosha, Wis., where police shot Blake, is about 45 minutes from Milwaukee.

✊✊✊ https://t.co/WSw0phBC0c

— Devin Williams (@DTrainn_23) August 25, 2020

Earlier Wednesday, Brewers pitcher Josh Hader said a boycott was “something we are going to discuss.”

Josh Hader on Bucks boycott: “I think it’s a tremendous stand. This is more about sports.” Says can’t say yes or no on #Brewers boycott. “I’m sure it’s something we are going to discuss.”

— Tom (@Haudricourt) August 26, 2020

Police shot Blake multiple times in the back in Kenosha on Sunday. Officers fired at Blake seven times as he leaned into an SUV containing his three children.

Attorneys for Blake said he is paralyzed as a result of the shooting. Protests and riots have erupted in Kenosha since Sunday, with President Trump announcing Wednesday he would send federal assistance to the city.