Reds First Inning Burns Brewers

Billy Hamiliton set the tone by leading off the bottom of the first inning with a single off the Milwaukee Brewers' starter, Junior Guerra.  The four-run first inning he ignited led to a 9-7 win.

That was the best news Guerra had in the inning.  It was downhill from there.  Jose Peraza belted his ninth home run exceeding his career total coming into the season.  Scooter Gennett singled,  Eugenio Saurez doubled down the third base line.  Scott Schebler, in his first home game since July 4, struck out.  Phillip Ervin walked and Tucker Barnhart hit a two-run single that second baseman, Travis Shaw, couldn't handle.  Shaw, until the acquisition of Mike Moustakas, was the Brewers' third baseman.

http://www.wiedemannbeer.com/

While Anthony DeSclafani was retiring the first six Brewers in order, the Reds tacked on two more runs off Guerra in the second.  Hamilton singled again but was caught stealing.  Peraza was held to a single this time.   Gennett singled to send Peraza to third base.  Jordan Lyles replaced Guerra.  Suarez and Schebler walked, giving Schebler credit for the RBI.  Ervin hit a low line drive to Moustakes.  Apparently, third base umpire inadvertently ruled a catch.  Moustakas threw to second to force Schebler as Gennett scored but Suarez, relying on umpire Lance Barrett's call thought he was out on the throw to second and went to the Reds' dugout.  The umpires huddled and sent Suarez back to third.  Barnhart flied out to end the inning, making the play academic.

Orlando Arcia singled with one out in the third for the Brewers' first hit off DeSclafani.

The Brewers mounted a fourth inning threat.  With one out Jesus Aguilar singled to center.  Shaw walked.  Ryan Braun's single loaded the bases with one out.  DeSclafani struck out Moustakas swinging.  Erik Kratz hit a solid single to center to score Aguilar but Hamilton, who leads the National League in outfield assists, notched his 12th with a strike to Barnhart to nail Shaw to end the inning.

"I thought DeSclafani threw the ball very well against a very good lineup," Jim Riggleman said.  "He was in trouble there.  He minimized the damage just giving up a run right there.  That was huge."

Christian Yelich opened the sixth inning with a long home run off the batter's eye in center field.  It was the 24th of the season for Yelich and cut the Reds' lead to 6-2.  The Brewers have hit at least one home run at Great American Ball Park in 20 straight games dating back to September 13, 2016.

"I gave up some hard hit balls to Yelich and Kratz there," DeSclafani said.  "But for the most part I got some weak contact.  Billy definitely saved me.  He got me out of that inning."

Normal Reds' slayer, Eric Thames was not in the lineup.  He has hit 4 home runs against the Reds in the last two season, including four this year.   Brewers' manager Craig Counsell wasn't swayed by Thames recent success against the Reds.  "I don't necessarily buy into that if there's a red uniform out there that he's going to play well," Counsell said.  "Ryan Braun has been swinging the bat well.  At this point Ryan is the solution for us in the second half.  He's gotten hot.  That is a little bit of the cause.  Eric had a couple of big hits.  He hasn't been red hot. certainly."

Braun is also the leader for home runs by a Reds' opponent at GABP.  Braun has 26.  Lance Berkman is next with 23 and Albert Pujols hit 20.

The Reds got the run back against Dan Jennings and Matt Albers in the bottom of the sixth.  Peraza led off with his third hit.  Suarez reached base for the fourth time with a walk.  With two outs Ervin drove in his second run of the game with a single to right, scoring Peraza.

http://donatelifeohio.org/

DeSclafani's night ended two outs into the seventh after Hernan Perez hit a run scoring double to drive in Moustakas, who singled.  Jared Hughes relieved DeSclafani.   Lorenzo Cain drew a walk.  Yelich made it a one-run game with his second home run of the game.  It was hit first career two-home run game.  Aguilar grounded out to end the inning.

"I'm feeling good. I feel like its been the same plan since I got back. I'm just trying to throw quality strikes. I am feeling good my last four outings.  I hope I can finish up strong," DeSclafani said.

DeSclafani was charged with four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings on seven hits and a walk.  His record improved to 7-4.

"Jared Hughes has done a great job for us this year,' Riggleman said.  "He wasn't sharp tonight.  It was unfortunate that a couple runs were charged to DeSco but you know what, he won the game."

The Reds rebuilt the lead in the bottom of the seventh.  Mason Williams singled.  Hamilton popped up a bunt but Peraza's fourth hit preceded Gennett's two-run triple off Joakin Soria.  Suarez struck out.  Soria fanned Schebler to end the inning.

Scooter's done that a lot for us this year," Riggleman said.  "There were some good at bats, leading up to that.  Soria has been throwing the ball pretty good but Scooter had a real good at bat and was able to keep that ball fair."

"They're the type of team, you get ahead early and if you don't tack on a couple runs in the middle innings, they'll get back in it," said Gennett of his former teammates.  "Yellich hit the two home runs.  The last one made it 6-7 so you have to tack on a couple more."

Wandy Peralta got two outs in the eighth but allowed a single.  Raisell Iglesias entered the game to try to earn a four-out save.  He had been successful in 23 of his 27 attempts.

Thames made his presence known in the ninth but grounded out.  Perez singled and Cain doubled to put runners at second and third with Yelich representing the tying run.  Yellich grounded out as Perez scored.  Aguilar was the last man standing between the Reds and a tie game.  The count went full before Aguilar struck out swinging.  Iglesias had his 24th save.