Brewers survive late rally from Reds, win 5-4

The Milwaukee Brewers took on the Cincinnati Reds this afternoon at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Wade Miley started things off for Cincinnati while Eric Lauer did the same for Milwaukee. In fact, Lauer would pitch 2.1 innings, striking out five on two hits and no runs. Miley was not as effective.

Milwaukee got to Miley in the bottom of the first. With one out in the inning, Justin Smoak singled to center field. He advanced to third on a Lorenzo Cain ground-rule double. Everyone trotted home on a Logan Morrison smash over the right center field wall. Morrison’s home run staked the Brew Crew to an early 3-0 lead.

Milwaukee would tack on another run in the bottom of the third. Justin Smoak led things off with a walk. LoCain followed with a single. The Brewers loaded the bases as Joey Votto committed an error allowing Logan Morrison to reach first and everyone else to advance ninety feet. With a chance to blow the game open, Ryon Healy grounded into a double play. Smoak was at least able to score.

Cincinnati scored in the top of the fourth. With two outs in the inning, Josh Lindblom gave up a single to Alfredo Rodriguez. Mark Payton immediately followed with a double, scoring Rodriguez.

The Brewers would get the run back in the bottom half of the fourth. Getting Brewer Nation’s hopes up, Corey launched a bomb over the right center field fence, making it 5-1 Brewers.

The Reds started a bit of a comeback with Josh Hader on the mound in the top of the seventh. Scott Schebler began things with a single to right. Hader then walked Jose Garcia. Michael Siani followed with a single to center. With the bases juiced, Hader found himself in a major jam. Luckily the lanky left-hander was able to minimize the damage. He did allow Christian Colon to lift a fly ball to Keon Broxton in left field. Schebler was able to tag up and score. After that Hader shut down the next two Reds’ hitters.

In the top of the ninth, the Reds did make it interesting. With Ray Black on the mound, Michael De Leon started things with a single to right. Black would follow that up with back-to-back walks to Michael Siani and Christian Colon. Black would strike out Francisco Pena, but he walked Tyler Stephenson. That walked scored De Leon and brought the Reds to within two runs, and still the bases were loaded with one out.

Black’s control issues necessitated an obvious pitching change. Aaron Wilkerson inherited the bases loaded jam. Wilkerson was able to induce a ground ball to third baseman, Lucas Erceg, who was able to translate it into an out at second. Siani scored on the play to bring Cincinnati to within one. Fortunately for the Brewers, Wilkerson struck out Jonathan India for the final out of the game. The Brewers survived, 5-4.

Milwaukee officially has the day off tomorrow, although there is a ‘B’ game that has been put together against the White Sox so that a few of the pitchers can stay on schedule and get their work in. The club will return to regularly scheduled action on Tuesday as they face the San Diego Padres. Start time is scheduled for 2:10 CT at Peoria Stadium. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Wisconsin and can be heard on 94.5 ESPN.