Dodgers Beat Reds At Last Avoid Season Sweep

The Reds played the Los Angeles Dodgers for the last time in 2018 on Wednesday.  The visitors 8-1 win prevented the Reds from sweeping the home series and the season series

The Reds won the previous six games, including a four-game sweep in Los Angeles May 9-12.  A Reds' win would give them their first ever season sweep against the Dodgers, the Reds' arch rivals from the 70's, in a series that has been played for 119 years.

http://www.wiedemannbeer.com/

The Dodgers spent the first half of the 20th century in Brooklyn (1900-1957) since 1958 they hav played in Los Angeles.  Never has a team with a losing record swept a season series from a team with a winning record, according to Jeff Brantley.

"We didn't really worry about sweeping the Dodgers.  We just wanted to win the game at hand," Riggleman said.

http://donatelifeohio.org/

Jose Peraza hit a first inning home run off Dodgers' starter Ross Stripling.  It was the 11th home run of the season for the Reds' shortstop.  Stripling, who recently returned from disabled list was removed in the fourth inning.  He gave up three hits in 3 1/3 innings, including a single by Joey Votto and a double by Billy Hamilton.

After Anthony DeSclafani retired the first nine Dodgers in order, Joc Pederson hit his second home run in as many days to tie the game.  It was the 21st of the season for Pederson.  With two outs Max Muncy singled.  Yasmani Grandal hit a line drive to right field.  It would have hit the fence but a young fan reached over and caught the ball.  First base umpire, David Rackley immediately signaled fan interference.  The umpires allowed Muncy to score.  The Reds' challenged the placement of the runners.  The call was confirmed on the review.  It gave the Dodgers their first lead of the series.

"Anthony was especially good for three innings," Riggleman said.  "We have to figure it out. He is a great competitor. I know he's frustrated."

The Dodgers extended their lead in the fifth.  Yasiel Puig walked to open the inning. After pinch hitter Andrew Toles struck out, Pederson reached out and poked a double down the third base line.  Justin Turner singled to put the Dodgers ahead, 4-1.  DeSclafani walked Muncy.   Jim Riggleman brought in left-hander Wandy Peralta to turn Grandal into a right-handed hitter with lefty Cody Bellinger on deck.  Grandal's single on a 3-2 pitch scored the Dodgers' fifth run of the game.  Scooter Gennett couldn't handle Bellinger's hard ground ball that sifted into right field to score the Dodger's fifth run of the inning.

"I was rolling," DeSclafani said.  "I felt good.  I gave up the leadoff homer to Joc.  It seemed like whenever somebody gets on I can't put a stop to it.  It's frustrating.  I just have to figure out how to execute pitches.  I don't care how many times you go through the batting order.  If you execute your pitches, you'll get your outs."

Puig and Turner hit long doubles off Amir Garrett to add another run. Walks to David Freese and Manny Machado loaded the bases with one out.  Muncy popped up to Peraza.  Riggleman went to Matt Wisler, who celebrates his 26th birthday.  Grandal's single scored Freese with the Dodgers eighth run.

Six relief pitchers held the Reds to two hits.  Hamilton hit a triple in the fifth.  Gennett, the National League's leading hitter at .322 had a single in four at bats.

"We got Billy to third and Peraza hit the ball hard but we didn't threaten after that," Riggleman said