Josh Hader blows another game as the Reds beat the Brewers 3-1

The Milwaukee Brewers played their final game prior to the All-Star break against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field this afternoon. Brandon Woodruff took the hill against Luis Castillo. As one might expect, this game was a pitchers’ duel, kind of.

Both pitchers were able to keep runs off the board for the most part, but both were not on top of their game. Castillo only lasted 5.1 innings and walked 6. Yet he gave up just 1 run. Woodruff was hit around a bit allowing 9 hits, and he only struck out 4. Yet he gave up just 1 run too.

Woodruff’s run allowed came early. Jesse Winker singled with one out in the top of the first. He scampered to third on a Nick Castellanos double and scored on a Joey Votto single.

The Brewers scored their run off Castillo in the bottom of the sixth. With one out in the inning, Jace Peterson induced a walk. That walk sent Castillo to the showers, and Amir Garrett took over. Peterson swiped second off the big Reds’ left-hander. In scoring position, he did exactly that when Jackie Bradley singled to right to tie the game.

From then on both teams’ bullpens took over and did a good job until Josh Hader took over in the top of the ninth. After 20 saves without one being blown for the entire season, Hader has struggled in the past few appearances. Last night’s blown save resulted in a loss. Well things went wrong again.

Hader started the ninth off by hitting the guy that took him deep the night before, Eugenio Suarez. He went to second when Kyle Farmer singled. Hader walked Jonathan India to load the bases, and then Nick Castellanos singled. Suarez and Farmer both scored to make it 3-1. Unfortunately the Brewers would fail to respond in the bottom of the ninth and enter the All-Star break with a bitter taste in their mouths. On a positive note, they’re still in first place in the N.L. Central.

The Brewers won’t be in action again until July 16. They will play against this same Reds squad at 6:10 pm that evening.