WP: Homer Bailey (2-1); LP: Jimmy Nelson (6-12); Save: none; Homeruns: Cin. Adam Duvall (27); Mil. Ramon Flores (2)
For 7.1 innings, the Brewers mirrored their day at the plate from yesterday in tonight’s match against the Reds by NOT scoring in every inning instead of scoring every inning. Jimmy Nelson gave up three in his five innings of work, with traffic out there in each of his innings. An eighth inning homer to dead center by Ramon Flores ended the Reds’ shutout, but it never felt like the Brewers were in this one, even after Manny Pina's pinch hit 3 run homer with two down in the ninth.
Nelson got the first two out in the first two innings, but then things got exciting...if you were a Reds fan. In the first with two down, Nelson gave up a walk, hit batter, single, and walk to put the Reds up 1-0. In the second he walked Billy Hamilton with two down (why???), and Hamilton stole second and third before Zack Cozart struck swinging.
No such drama in the third, as Adam Duvall homered deep to left as the second hitter of the inning. Brandon Phillips singled and stole second before a two out bloop single by Eugenio Suarez into rightcenter drove in the third run.
The Brewers did nothing against Homer Bailey until the fifth when a walk to Chris Carter and a single from Hernan Perez put two on with no out. Two strikeouts and a pupout later and the Brewers were done. Bailey went six complete and left after 102 pitches, shutting out the Brewers on 4 hits, a walk, and 11 strikeouts. (At least one strikeout in every inning for the Crew tonight, in keeping with our theme.)
Jhan Marinez had the seventh for the Brewers and got hit around a bit. The Reds scored four (two earned) on four hits, an intentional walk, and another error at third by Jonathan Villar. 7-0 reds into the bottom half of the inning.
Flores homerun in the eighth came off of reliever Russ Ohlendorf on a 3-2 fastball. Flores’ playing time has dwindled as of late, so it was nice to see him connect.
The Reds got careless in the bottom of the ninth. With one down Scooter Gennett reached on an error by Zack Cozart. Chris Carter followed with his second walk (to go with two strikeouts). With two down, Manny Pina blasted a pinch hit 3 run homer to bring the Brewers to within 7-4. The blast was Pina's first as a major leaguer.All 3 runs were unearned. Martin Maldanado flew to left to end the game.
Interesting notes: The top two hitters in the two line-ups combined to strike out 13 times. Cincy and Milwaukee combined to fan 26 times (14 by the Brewers). The middle three of the Reds order had eight hits, scored five runs, walked once, were hit by a pitch, had a double and a homer, stole a base, and drove in two. Manny Pina had his second 3 RBI hit in as many days. Billy Hamilton stole 3 bases and was caught once (actually picked off, but he took off for third and was out in a rundown). Hamilton has stolen 51 bases now, and been caught only 6 times...three of them by the Brewers. Villar did not steal a base...as he never got on base...because he never hit a fair ball. Another Golden Sombrero for Jonathan.
Tomorrow's match-up has the Reds (47-67) going with Dan Straily (7-6, 3.76) against the Brewers' (51-63) Zach Davies (9-4, 3.58). Game time is 6:10.