Brewers Elvis Peguero Warm Up Act For Zac Brown Band With A Win Over The Reds

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The Reds like their chicken fried and cold beer on a Friday night. A win over the first place Milwaukee Brewers could take compliment their City Connect Uniforms that fit just right.

The Brewers scored two runs in the 11th to spoil the Reds' plans in a 5-4 win opening a four-game series and a benefit concert. Elvis Peguero stopped the Reds in the 10th to extend the game. He picked up his first Major League win.

Fernando Cruz loaded the bases allowing a single and walk to load the bases with the ghost runner. Two force plays scored the two runs.

Zac Brown Band concert to benefit Lou Gehrig's disease followed the game.

Brandon Williamson made the start for the Reds. The rookie has started three Reds wins without a decision. His mound opponent was Corbin Burns, the 2021 Cy Young Award winner who brings a 2-1 record against the Reds with a 2.53 ERA in four starts.

Joey Weimer, a University of Cincinnati collegian player, followed in the footstep of another Bearcat, Ian Happ. With Christian Yelich on first base, Weimer drilled his sixth home run of the season off the facade in front of the leftfield upper deck.

"It was awesome coming here," Weimer. "I love this place. I was really excited. I've been looking forward to this for two weeks. I have a lot of good friends and a lot of good people. There is nothing I would have traded for it."

"I'm feeling like a hitter again, feeling more comfortable," Weimer said.

"He's been productive against left handers," Counsell said.

The Reds got a run back without a hit.

Jake Fraley walked then stole second. He took third on a ground out. He beat the throw home by Owen Miller on Nick Senzel's ground ball with the infield in.

Jonathan India put the Reds ahead with a two-run home run in the third inning.

A throwing error by rookie shortstop Matt McLain on a potential double play ground ball allow Yelich to score from third on a ground ball to first with the bases loaded in the fourth to tie the game at 3-3.

The starters continued to battle through the sixth. Burns was ejected by home plate umpire DJ Reyburn for arguing a couple pitch calls in the sixth inning. 

"You can't get upset with the calls on the edges. Every umpire has their established strike zone. DJ was giving me the corner most of the night but what frustrates pitchers the most is the pitch that is completely in the strike zone. Two of the walks I had would have been strike outs. Two of the walks were just uncompetitive pitches. The walk to lead off the inning in the third. It wasn't a bad pitch to India. He just went out and got it," Burnes said.

"It's frustrating. You have to shake it off and go out there and pitch. The last inning it kind of boiled over and some of the comments he said added to the frustration. That's how it goes sometimes."

Williamson hit a batter in the seventh but left with two outs in his longest career outing. He pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing three runs, two earned on five hits, two walks and a hit batter.

Buck Farmer replaced Williamson, who was denied the chance to record his first career win.

Pinch runner Brice Turang stole second base with Miller at the plate. The Brewers second baseman lined out to right.

Joel Payamps took over for Burnes, who allowed just two hits in six innings and three runs but walking four.

Peter Strzelecki hit India to open the Reds' eighth. India stole second but Fraley struck out on a 3-2 pitch. Stephenson struck out and Nick Senzel popped up.

Lucas Sims pitched a perfect eighth.

Alexis Diaz pitched a scoreless ninth. 

Devin Williams started the ninth for Milwaukee.  Wil Benson reached on an error by Miller, who moved to third. Spencer Steer, who was named Rookie of the Month in the National League pinch hit for Luke Maile. Benson stole second. Steer popped out on a 3-2 pitch. Kevin Newman grounded to third, sending the game to the 10th inning.

Alex Young faced Rowdy Tellez with the ghost runner, Turang on second. Tellez struck out looking. Miller singled to left but Turang stopped at third. William Contreras struck out swinging, bringing Yelich to the plate. He walked to load the bases. Fernando Cruz took over for Young with two outs, facing Brian Anderson, who popped out to catcher Curt Casali to end the threat. 

Peguero faced the Reds in the 10th with Kevin Newman on second as the ghost runner. Matt McLain lined out to center.  India was hit by a pitch for the second time. Fraley flied to center and Stephenson struck out. 

Anderson was the sent to run from second in the 11th. Andruw Monasterio singled to put runners on first and third. Weimer walked to load the bases. Victor Caratini forced Weimer at second as Anderson scored. Turang forced Caratini at second to allow Monasterio to score. 

"Monasterio had a great game. It felt like he was all over the field. He had the base hit, stole a base and made a great play. Just a heckuva game," Counsell said. "The at bats since he's been here have been really, really impressive."

Bryse Wilson got the save in the 11th with Stephenson on second. Senzel flied to right. Stuart Fairchild was robbed on a sliding stop on a bid for a base hit by Montaserio. Curt Casali doubled with two outs to score Stephenson. Jose Barrero ran for him. It was the Reds' first hit since the third inning. Steer grounded out to second base.

The hit by Casali was just the Reds' third of the game. Five Brewer relievers held the game in check.

"The bullpen was awesome. They all had to make pitches with the game on the line. That isn't easy to do," Counsell said.