Looking to avoid their first sweep of the season and end Milwaukee’s 14 game winning streak, Cincinnati turned to Andrew Abbott (8-3 2.41 ERA) Milwaukee countered with 13 year veteran Jose Quintana (10-4 3.44 ERA)
It was a pitchers duel for the early part of the game. Abbott allowed four hits, while striking out seven with zero walks on 92 pitches in seven scoreless. Quintana was almost as good, allowing three hits while striking out four and walking one on 89 pitches in six scoreless.
1-0 Cincinnati
The bottom of the seventh provided the first run of the game, breaking the scoreless duel. Austin Hays hit a leadoff double down the LF line. Noelvi Marte followed that with a hard-hit single to RF to put men on the corners with nobody out. Jose Trevino hit a 1-0 pitch to RF that Brandon Lockridge made a great catch to prevent a 3-run HR. It allowed Hays to score from 3rd and the Reds took a 1-0 lead. That chased Quintana from the game, and brought Tobias Myers in from the pen, who got out of further trouble.
Tony Santillan, making his MLB leading 62nd appearance, came in to take over for Abbott in the 8th. Santillan was able to face the minimum, and get the top bottom three hitters from Milwaukee. He got a little help from his battery mate Trevino by throwing out would be stealer Tyler Black for the second out. The Reds would go in order 1-2-3, giving Emilio Pagan a 1-0 to close out.
2-1 Milwaukee
Pagan came on and promptly walked the first hitter, a pinch-hitting Anthony Siegler before getting Caleb Durbin to popup for out number one. William Contreras then slugged a 2 run-HR to left center, giving the Brewers a 2-1 lead. Pagan got out of the inning, but just like last night, the damage was done.
2-2 Tie
Thankfully, just like yesterday, the Reds were not done fighting. Will Benson reached on an error by shortstop Brice Turang before Austin Hays flewout to LF. Marte shot a single to RF, and Jose Trevino did the same, knocking in Benson and tying the game. Ke’Bryan Hayes struckout, Matt McLain drew a walk to load the bases, but TJ Friedl popped out to 3B to end the threat and send us to extras for the second consecutive game. Graham Ashcraft emerged from the Cincy bullpen and was able to retire the Brewers to give the Reds another chance to win.
3-2 Cincinnati (Final)
A tale of two different streaks! The Reds continue to be the only team that have not been swept this season, and, more importantly, end the Brewers franchise record 14 game winning streak. Austin Hays came up with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th and he delivered. He hit a rocket down the 3B line for a walkoff single, bringing the Reds back to 1 game out of a WC spot. See you tomorrow night for the start of a 9 game west coast road trip!
Win: Graham Ashcraft (6-4)
Loss: Grant Anderson (2-3)