:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34358033/20140614_lbm_bs4_201.JPG.0.jpg)
Win: Will Smith (1-0)
Loss: J.J. Hoover
Save: Francisco Rodriguez (21)
HR: Billy Hamilton (3), Ryan Braun (10)
Mat Latos has missed the entire season to this point after having a bone chip removed from his shoulder in the offseason. In his return to the Reds against the Brewers, he sure didn't look like he had missed much time. Latos pitched six innings and allowed just two walks while striking out four, baffling Milwaukee hitters.
The good news for the Brewers is that the Reds chose not to extend him too much in his very first start, taking him out after six innings despite him having thrown just 87 pitches. Immediately after Latos came out, the Brewers' offense found a spark.
Down 1-0 in the seventh, the Brewers' first two batters of the inning reached safely against Logan Ondrusek as Jonathan Lucroy walked and Carlos Gomez singled. An Aramis Ramirez flyout moved the baserunners to second and third. That set up a contact play run as Lucroy scored on a Khris Davis groundout to short to tie the game. That forced the Reds to make a pitching change, bringing in old friend Manny Parra to face Rickie Weeks. This time around, Weeks got the better of Parra, hitting an RBI single to give the Brewers the lead.
Unfortunately, that lead was short lived as light-hitting speedster Billy Hamilton hit a solo home run against Will Smith to tie the game in the top of the eighth. The Brewers had an answer, however, with Ryan Braun launching a two-run shot to regain the lead in the bottom of the eighth. That was all Francisco Rodriguez needed as he forced a groundout, a flyout and a strikeout to end the game.
While Latos had a great return game for the Reds, Yovani Gallardo was just as good for Milwaukee. He lasted seven innings, allowing just one run on six hits and two walks. He also struck out eight batters. After over a month of less-than-stellar starts, Gallardo has allowed just one run with 16 strikeouts in 14 innings over his last two starts.
Scooter Gennett was the only Brewer to reach base twice today. The diminutive second baseman also scored a run and picked up a double.
The Brewers and Reds will play one more tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 CT.
