Keston Hiura Hits Final Blow In Home Run Derby

 

 

it was the primal battle of the hunter and the hunted at Great American Ball Park on Friday night.

After a run starved first three innings, Hunter Renfroe slayed a Hunter Greene pitch with two men on to send the Milwaukee Brewers to a 3-0 lead over the Reds.

"I thought he would be sitting on a slider because that's how I've attacked him. I threw him a fastball and he was ready to go," Greene said.  "I just didn't execute some of my pitches.  This is the third time I've faced them.  They've seen all of my pitches.  I have to really emphasize executing all of them."

Milwaukee had the final say with the last of six home runs to take the first game of the three-game series in a 5-4 win over the Reds.   Keston Hiura's sixth home run broke a 4-4 tie in a home run derby.  Ross Detwiler was the victim.

Each team belted three home runs.

After a run starved first three innings, Hunter Renfroe slayed a Hunter Greene pitch with two men on to send the Brewers to a 3-0 lead over the Reds.

Greene allowed just two walks in three hitless innings but Rowdy Tellez and Andrew McCutchen opened the fourth with singles.  Renfroe shot a line drive into theis left field seats for his 11th home run.  Willy Adames hit a solo shot for his 12th in the fourth inning.

"We,ve come to expect each outing to be great and that just isn't going to be the case," David Bell said.  "He may have been as comfortable on the mound tonight but take away a pitch or two and it's another great outing.  He is doing great.  He's handling every thing.  That's part of the process."

Left handed  starter Eric Lauer tamed the Reds on two singles through four frames but after Mike Moustakas singled to right.  Albert Almora Jr. placed his third home run into the left field stands to cut the lead in half.

Jeff Hoffman replaced Greene in the top of the sixth.  Greene allowed four runs on four hits, including the two long balls.  Greene has allowed 17 home runs this season, one behind National League leader Elieser Hernandez. 

The Reds played hunter against Lauer in the sixth.  Brandon Drury hit his 14th and Tommy Pham followed with his ninth home run to tie the game.

Former Red draft pick Brad Boxberger entered in the ninth to try to nail the game down for the Brewers.  Kyle Farmer singled.  Max Schrock pinch hit a popped to third in his first at bat of the season.  TJ Friedl ran for Farmer.  Nick Senzel walked representing the potential winning run.  Moustakas forced Senzel at second. David Bell sent Joey Votto to pinch hit for Almora Jr.  Votto flied out to the warning track in center.  Boxberger earned his first save. 

"It was a great swing by Votto.  It just came up short.  To put together an at bat like that is what we expect but it is not easy.  He nearly won the game for us," Bell said.