What We Learned: Two rallies end weekend in Cincinnati

Yesterday's Results

Reds 5, Brewers 1

Tyler Cravy came up and made a spot start, though he ended up allowing five runs in four innings. While the bullpen prevented any more damage, the offense could only manage one run.

Brewers 13, Reds 7

In the first extra-innings game of the season, Aaron Hill hit three home runs and drove in seven runs, including a go-ahead grand slam in the tenth inning. It finished a rally for the Brewers, who were down 6-2 at one point.

Brewers 5, Reds 4

It was another eventful Mother's Day for the Brewers. Junior Guerra pitched six innings and allowed four runs. Three Brewers hit home runs, including a go-ahead home run from Jonathan Lucroy in the eighth inning that capped a comeback from a 4-1 deficit.

Brewers News & Notes

Links from BCB

• Milwaukee Brewers Expected to Sign Two Top International Prospects
  Kyle Lesniewski, BCB
  With the international signing period coming up in two months, the Brewers are planning to sign two of the top 30 prospects available.
• Sunday Sundries - Week 5
  eddiemathews, BCB
  Looking back at the fifth week of the season.

Other Brewers News and Notes

• Johnson sees 'improvement' in Crew's staff
  Adam McCalvy, Brewers.com
  Derek Johnson has had a rough start to his Brewers career as pitching coach, but the plan hasn't changed much even though the results haven't been there.
• Brewers show pop with special pink bats
  Adam McCalvy, Brewers.com
  The Brewers hit three home runs on Sunday, and some of those came with special pink bats used by hitters.
• Gennett to start Minors assignment Tuesday
  Adam McCalvy, Brewers.com
  Scooter Gennett is ready for a minor-league assignment starting Tuesday, and could spend just one game in the minors or more.
• Smith optimistic he won't need knee surgery
  Adam McCalvy, Brewers.com
  The Brewers got more good news on the injury front, as Will Smith does not believe that surgery will be needed for his knee.
• Kirkman joins Crew's 'pen after whirlwind week
  Adam McCalvy, Brewers.com
  After a long week that took Michael Kirkman across the country, he's back with the Brewers after a stint in Colorado Springs last season.
• Trade Candidate Series: Red-Hot Chris Carter
  Jake Covey, Disciples of Uecker
  As Chris Carter continues to play well, his trade value is increasing and he becomes a more likely trade candidate.
• Jeremy Jeffress is Taking Off
  Ryan Romano, BP Milwaukee
  The Brewers bullpen has struggled this season, but Jeremy Jeffress has been a bright spot in the bullpen.
• From behind the scenes, Matt Arnold swinging for greatness
  Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
  Even though he hasn't been mentioned much, Matt Arnold is working hard in the background.
• “Brewed For Her” Event Set for July 30
  Caillin Moyer, Cait Covers the Bases
  The "Brewed for Her" event is returning in 2016, set for July 30 when the Brewers play the Pirates.

Minor League Update

News & Notes

• The Fringe Five: Baseball’s Most Compelling Fringe Prospects
  Carson Cistulli, FanGraphs
  Bubba Derby is listed among the next five fringe prospects.
  
• Sunday Notes: Brewers Perrin, Padres Allen, Iggy, Indians, more
  David Laurila, FanGraphs
  Jon Perrin has been pitching well in the minors for the Brewers, but if everything goes well for him, he may not be in the organization much longer.
• Toolshed: Hader showing starter capability
  Sam Dykstra, MiLB.com
  Josh Hader projects as a reliever, but has shown starter capability in the minors.
• Sunday Notebook: 5/8/2016
  Brad Krause, Miller Park Prospects
  Notes from the previous week of the season
• Alumni Spotlight: 5/6/16
  Marcus Young, Miller Park Prospects
  Taking a look at some former Brewers prospects in other systems.

NL Central Update

Yesterday’s Division Games

• Nationals @ Cubs
  Friday: Cubs 8, Nationals 6
  Saturday: Cubs 8, Nationals 5
  Sunday: Cubs 4, Nationals 3
• Pirates @ Cardinals
  Friday: Pirates 4, Cardinals 2
  Saturday: Cardinals 6, Pirates 4
  Sunday: Pirates 10, Cardinals 5

Today's Division Games

• Pirates @ Reds - 6:10 pm
  Jon Niese vs. Dan Straily
• Padres @ Cubs - 7:05 pm
  Cesar Vargas vs. Jon Lester

Around Baseball

Roster News

• Baltimore Orioles
  - Designated RHP Scott McGough for assignment
  - Added infielder Paul Janish to their roster
  - Optioned LHP T.J. McFarland to Triple-A
• Cincinnati Reds
  - Optioned RHP J.J. Hoover to Triple-A Louisville
  - Recalled RHP Drew Hayes
  - Selected the contract of RHP Steve Delabar
  - Placed RHP Jon Moscot on the 15-day DL
  - Placed catcher Devin Mesoraco, who will miss the remainder of the 2016 season, on the 60-day DL
• Kansas City Royals
  - Placed third baseman Mike Moustakas on the 15-day DL with a left thumb fracture
  - Recalled infielder Cheslor Cuthbert
• Los Angeles Angels
  - Garrett Richards will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
• Los Angeles Dodgers
  - Claimed RHP Casey Fien from the Twins
• Minnesota Twins
  - Signed LHP Nick Greenwood to a minor-league contract
  - Designated RHP J.R. Graham
  - Selected the contracts of outfielder Darin Mastroianni and Juan Centeno
  - Designated LHP Ryan O'Rourke for assignment
  - Activated RHP Ervin Santana off the 15-day DL
• New York Yankees
  - Placed LHP CC Sabathia on the 15-day DL with a strained left groin
• San Francisco Giants
  - Designated RHP Vin Mazzaro for assignment
• Tampa Bay Rays
  - Designated RHP Jhan Marinez for assignment
• Texas Rangers
  - Signed outfielder Drew Stubbs
  - Placed Josh Hamilton on the 60-day DL
  - Placed RHP A.J. Griffin on the 15-day DL with shoulder stiffness
  - Recalled LHP Alex Claudio

Other Notes

• Jose Reyes is reportedly expected to be suspended at least 60 games
  Matt Snyder, CBS Sports
  A ruling on Jose Reyes is expected to come soon, and it is expected to be a minimum of 60 games, and likely longer.
• MLB officially postpones Puerto Rico series over Zika virus concerns
  Mike Oz, Big League Stew
  With concerns around the Zika virus high, MLB has officially posponed the Puerto Rico games between the Marlins and Pirates. The games will be played in Miami instead.

Today's Action

Brewers @ Marlins - 6:10 pm
Wily Peralta vs. Jose Fernandez