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For just the second time ever, Hector Gomez will be starting a major league game. Gomez, a September call-up, will bat eighth and play shortstop for the Brewers as they take on the Reds. Jean Segura will take the day off as he continues to struggle at the plate.
Gomez's last (and only) major league start came almost nearly three years ago, on September 17, 2011. Playing for the Rockies against the Giants, Gomez went 2-4 with a walk and a run scored. Outside of that game, he has failed to pick up a hit in four at-bats.
Also starting for the Brewers will be Martin Maldonado, who also started last night but was pulled in the seventh inning for a pinch-hitter. Jonathan Lucroy will take over first base duties for the second consecutive day.
Yovani Gallardo, who now stands by himself atop the franchise leaderboard in strikeouts, will hope to come back strong from a putrid first two starts in September. In those two outings, he has combined to allow 13 runs (10 earned) in 8.2 innings of work. Gallardo has allowed 17 hits and four walks in that span and has seen his ERA go from 3.26 to 3.61. The Reds have traditionally fared well against Gallardo, hitting for a 763 OPS over his career.