Another Mother's Day Memory: Brewers rally for 5-4 win over Reds

WP: Chris Capuano (1-0)
LP: Ross Ohlendorf (3-3)
SV: Jeremy Jeffress (8)

HR: Adam Duvall (6), Ryan Braun (7), Hernan Perez (3), Jonathan Lucroy (3)

Box Score

The Brewers have put together some great rallies on Mother's Day in the past. While this one probably won't be the top one, it's still another rally for the holiday.

To start today, there was doubt over whether the game would even be played. Rain in Cincinnati delayed the game by two hours, but it eventually went through and the game was able to be played. The delay didn't cool down Ryan Braun though, as he launched a home run in his first at-bat in the first inning to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Junior Guerra started well, pitching 1-2-3 innings in the first two innings. After that, the Reds got to him. Ramon Cabrera walked and was bunted to second in the third inning, and then the Reds scored on the next three at-bats (an RBI triple, RBI double, and RBI single). That would give them a 3-1 lead after three innings. They would make it 4-1 in the next inning on an Adam Duvall home run. Guerra would settle down again after that, pitching two more 1-2-3 innings in the fifth and sixth to finish off his day. The line was similar to his first start with four earned runs in six innings, but he needed 94 pitches today.

With the Reds under control, the Brewers slowly worked their way to the lead after Reds starting pitcher John Lamb left with an injured hand. In the fifth, against reliever Steve Delabar, Hernan Perez hit a solo home run to cut the lead to 4-2. It continued a hot streak for Perez, who is making a case to stay up here when Scooter Gennett returns, posting a batting line of .261/.261/.648 with three home runs. Then, in the sixth, back-to-back doubles from Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy cut it to 4-3.

The rally continued in the seventh against reliever Blake Wood, with Ramon Flores and Kirk Nieuwenhuis both walking to start the inning. A ground out from Alex Presley moved both runners up, and then Jonathan Villar grounded out as well, but scored Flores to tie the game at 4-4. Ross Ohlendorf followed in the eighth, and Jonathan Lucroy hit his second pitch out to give the Brewers the lead at 5-4.

While the Reds bullpen struggled, the Brewers bullpen was much better. Chris Capuano pitched the seventh and allowed just one hit in his inning of work. Tyler Thornburg pitched the eighth and had a clean inning, collecting two strikeouts in the process. Jeremy Jeffress came on in the ninth and worked around a hit to close the game out and secure the win.

It wasn't the greatest day for the Brewers offense, but they worked with what they had. Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy both reached base three times and both had a home run and a double. They accounted for five of the Brewers seven hits and three of the five runs. However, the Brewers made the most of what they got, and were able to get the win that way.

Following the game, pitcher David Goforth was optioned back to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Goforth was mainly used in low-leverage situations, where the game was nearly decided. He posted a 7.20 ERA and 6.08 FIP over four appearances covering five innings. He also had two walks and two strikeouts in that timeframe. It's hard to tell if he would have performed better given more time, but he will probably get another call-up at some point this season.

The roster move was necessary so the Brewers could activate Wily Peralta from the paternity list. He will rejoin the team tomorrow and make the start as they head to Miami for a three-game series. The Brewers will be thrown right into the fire against the Marlins, facing Marlins ace Jose Fernandez. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 pm.