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Winning Pitcher: David Holmberg
Losing Pitcher: Yovani Gallardo
HR: Aramis Ramirez (15)
The first inning was really great and really dumb. Yovani Gallardo retired the Reds in order with 2 strike outs and grounder. Then in the Brewers half of the inning, Carlos Gomez reached on a HBP and Ryan Braun drew a walk. Then Jonathan Lucroy grounded to the shortstop. The Reds got the force out at second base and caught Gomez in a rundown because he seemed to forget there was a runner behind him. Then Aramis Ramirez was hit by a pitch. Then Khris Davis flew out to end the inning.
Fortunately for the Brewers, Gallardo was on his game early, and again retired the Reds in order. Unfortunately for the Brewers, they could not score in their half of the inning.
The Reds did get a base runner in the third inning on a throwing error by Hector Gomez, but did not score. The Brewers didn't get a base runner at all.
Then the wheels fell off the bus. After loading the bases, Yovani Gallardo walked in the first run of the game. The Reds then got their second run on a fly out, but the Brewers did catch Devin Mesoraco in a run down on the throw from Khris Davis for the second out. Gallardo got the next batter to strike out, ending the inning. Reds up 2-0.
Aramis Ramirez put one of the wheels back on with a lead off solo BLAST to deep center.
Gallardo allowed a base runner in the fifth, but no runs scored. The Brewers couldn't muster a single base runner in their half of the inning.
Gallardo allowed a base runner in the six, but no runs scored. The Brewers couldn't muster a single base runner yet again in their half of the inning.
Zach Duke took over in the seventh. With runners at the corners Billy Hamilton scorched a liner to center. Two runs came in giving the Reds a 4-1 lead.
The Brewers couldn't muster a single base runner in their half of the inning.
Jimmy Nelson took over in the eighth inning. After a double and two singles the Reds added another run. No more runs would score but the Reds took a commanding 5-1 into the bottom of the eighth inning.
The Brewers actually did muster a base runner in their half of the eighth. Carlos Gomez drew a one out walk. Ryan Braun followed that effort up by grounding into an inning ending double play.
Tom Gorzelanny pitched a clean ninth inning.
With a 4 run lead, the Reds sent Jumbo Diaz to finish out the game and that's just what he did.
The Brewers, Pirates (assuming the Cubs' 3 run lead holds out), and Braves all lost. It was a great opportunity for the Crew to not only close in on the Pirates and the 2nd Wild Card, but to widen the gap with the team immediately behind them.
The series finale takes place tomorrow at 1:10 pm as Matt Garza attempts to secure the series win against Mike Leake.
Other notes:
- Cardinals were beating the Rockies 5-1 in the top of the ninth at the time of writing this.
- Giants were getting trounced by the Dodgers at the time of writing this.
- Pirates were losing to the Cubs 6-3 in the top of the 9th at the time of writing this.
- Braves lost to the Rangers again today by a score of 3-2.
