Here lie the 2014 Brewers: CIN 5; MIL 3

Winning Pitcher: David Holmberg

Losing Pitcher: Yovani Gallardo

SV: Aroldis Chapman

HR: Brandon Phillips (8)

Win Expectancy Chart

Boxscore

The game started out slowly for the Brewers offense. Their first five batters were retired in order. Then Rickie Weeks put the Brewers up 1-0 with a solo shot to straight away center field. As a big fan of Rickie Weeks it was really great to see in what is likely 1 of his last 3 starts as a Milwaukee Brewer.

Yovani Gallardo got off to a rough start. He threw over 20 pitches in the first inning. Then rebounded with less than 10 in the second. The Reds took it to him a bit in the third inning and a wild pitch helped send a runner to third who would eventually come home to tie the game at one apiece after 3 complete innings.

The Reds tried to pay back the favor in the fourth. After Ryan Braun singled and advanced to second on a walk by Jonathan Lucroy, Aramis Ramirez lined one up the middle. Braun ran home but Phillips was able to grab the ball and make the throw at home. The tag got Braun in time, leaving runners at the corners with one out. In case you're wondering, this was just one of those tough luck plays. Braun absolutely should have been running on contact. It was just a nice play by the Reds. Fortunately, Khris Davis was able to drive in a run on a sac fly and regain the lead for the Brewers: 2-1.

The Brewers defensive woes returned in the bottom of the fourth. A runner reached on bunt. With one out a grounder to Weeks was misplayed badly. Weeks made a poor throw to second trying to turn a double play. Segura couldn't grab the ball and it rolled away. Segura just kind so stayed laying down on the ground instead of going to get the ball. Ramirez had to grab it leaving no one at third. They probably couldn't have stopped the runner from advancing, but Segura still has to at least try to get the ball. Maybe the runner doesn't try to advance or whatever. The next batter hit a dribbler to Gallardo who slipped fielding it, but was still able to secure the out at first base. Two outs and runners at second and third for Brandon Phillips. He hit the ball sharply but right at Jean Segura who was able to get the out at first. After all that the Reds were unable to score. Brewers still led 2-1.

The Brewers defensive woes stuck around for the fifth. After giving up a lead off single, Gallardo induce a double play ball. Ramirez threw to second for the lead out and Weeks threw to first for what should have been a double play. Instead, Jason Rogers just straight up whiffed on the ball and the runner was safe. Then a grounder hit off first base and trickled into right field. Runners advanced to second and third. Then a shallow fly to right (really more of a long pop-up) was misplayed by Rickie Weeks. No out was recorded and a run scored. A liner to right gave the Reds a 3-2 lead. Gallardo got the next two outs to end the inning.

Yovani Gallardo should have been done after the fifth inning. He had been sloppy and hittable all game and he was near 100 pitches at the end of the fifth. Instead Roenicke left him out there. After a complete game by Kyle Lohse last night the bullpen was fully rested. I cannot think of a single reason why you would leave Gallardo in at this point of an absolute must win game. The Reds lead off the inning with a single and then Brandon Phillips put them up 5-2 on a 2-run home run. Gallardo's day was done. Will Smith came in and got 3 straight outs.

Rickie Weeks, Lyle Overbay, and Jean Segura started out the seventh inning with back to back to back singles to load the bases for pinch-hitter Scooter Gennett. The little guy tried his hardest, and he drove in a run, but it was via the double play. Gennett did slide into first base and in my opinion deserves to be fined for that stupidity, not that it would've mattered. Carlos Gomez drew a walk to put runners at the corners for Ryan Braun who couldn't handle Jumbo Diaz's velocity. He grounded out to the left side of the infield which has become a common sight this year.

Brandon Kintzler pitched a clean seventh inning for the Brewers.

Brewers go down in order in the eighth inning.

Jonathan Broxton cruised through the bottom of the eighth, striking out the side for the Brewers.

Aroldis Chapman took the mound and the hopes away from Brewers fans everywhere. Three batters, three outs, Reds won 5-3. Thus ends the postseason dream of the 2014 Milwaukee Brewers. In with a bang, out with a whimper.

Playoff hopes have been dashed, but there are three games left in the season. They travel back home tomorrow for a 7:10 pm start. Matt Garza makes his final start of the season against Eric Jokisch, whoever that is.

Other notes:

• The good news is you don't have to stay up late to see if the Giants lose...