The Milwaukee Brewers slugged three home runs in route to a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. Despite giving up three home runs himself, Eric Lauer (6-2) earned the victory. Brad Boxberger pitched the ninth inning for his first save of the season. Closer Josh Hader is still on paternity leave after the birth of his son.
Hunter Renfroe Clobbers a 3-Run Home Run
Hunter Renfroe got the Brewers on the board first in the fourth inning with a three-run home run. It was his 11th of the season.
Hunter Renfroe – Milwaukee Brewers (11) pic.twitter.com/tcfhR87Ijc
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) June 17, 2022
The home run was a no-doubter, as tracked by Would it Dong? on Twitter. The only ballpark in which it would not have been a home run is Fenway Park.
Hunter Renfroe vs Hunter Greene#ThisIsMyCrew
Home Run 💣
Exit velo: 110.1 mph
Launch angle: 19 deg
Proj. distance: 400 ftThis would have been a home run in 29/30 MLB ballparks.
Only Fenway Park would've held this one in.MIL (3) @ CIN (0)
🔺 4th pic.twitter.com/44SKqPYm5n— Would it dong? (@would_it_dong) June 17, 2022
Renfroe finished the night 1-4 with the home run. He is now hitting .251/.297/.475 with 11 home runs and 24 RBI on the season.
Willy Adames Hits a Solo Shot
The next inning, Willy Adames launched his 12th home run of the season. Not only does this total lead the Milwaukee Brewers, but it is also first among all National League short stops.
Your NL leader in home runs at shortstop, everybody!
Vote for Willy All-Star: https://t.co/QW3CNiSvsr pic.twitter.com/pd5n07THH6
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 18, 2022
Unlike the Renfroe home run, Adames’ blast would have been a home run in every ballpark in MLB.
Willy Adames vs Hunter Greene#ThisIsMyCrew
Home Run 💣
Exit velo: 103.7 mph
Launch angle: 28 deg
Proj. distance: 437 ftNo doubt about that one 🔒
That's a dinger in all 30 MLB ballparksMIL (4) @ CIN (0)
🔺 5th pic.twitter.com/aE164djxXP— Would it dong? (@would_it_dong) June 18, 2022
Willy Adames finished the night 1-4 with the home run. He is hitting .204/.285/.467 with 12 home runs and 31 RBI on the season.
Keston Hiura Hits a Rare Home Run Against a Left-Handed Pitcher
After the Cincinnati Reds tied the game at four in the sixth inning, Keston Hiura hit a opposite field solo home run to take the lead back in the seventh. Much has been said about how well Hiura hits right-handed pitching, so this home run against left-hander Ross Detwiler was something of a rarity.
Keston Hiura goes oppo for the lead! pic.twitter.com/3h1cEq0jeb
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 18, 2022
Hiura’s solo home run would have been a home run in 25/30 MLB parks.
Keston Hiura vs Ross Detwiler#ThisIsMyCrew
Home Run 💣
Exit velo: 110.1 mph
Launch angle: 22 deg
Proj. distance: 412 ftThis would have been a home run in 25/30 MLB ballparks
MIL (5) @ CIN (4)
🔺 7th pic.twitter.com/ZV0VgjeZDK— Would it dong? (@would_it_dong) June 18, 2022
Omar Narvaez: Defensive Catcher
Omar Narvaez was an All-Star last season, and he really should be again in 2022. The Brewers’ catcher was 0-4 at the plate, but is still hitting .274/.357/.395 on the year. He also gunned down Reds star Jonathan India on the base paths in the eighth inning.
People are still trying to run on Omar? 😏@Brewers | #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/iis7p4FA3o
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) June 18, 2022
The Bullpen Holds the Lead
After Eric Lauer got through one out in the seventh inning, he was pulled in favor of Miguel Sanchez. Sanchez got the last two outs of the inning before Williams came in for a scoreless eighth. As mentioned, Brad Boxberger closed the door for his first save of the season.
📦🍔 gets his first save of the year! #ThisIsMyCrew 5#Reds 4 pic.twitter.com/8HZFuhuNUs
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) June 18, 2022
Game Notes
- Both Christian Yelich and Omar Narvaez saw their eight game hitting streaks come to an end
- Andrew McCutchen continued his hot streak at the plate, going 2-3 with a walk and a run scored
- Rowdy Tellez and Tyrone Taylor each had a hit for the Brewers
- The Brewers are now 36-30 and one game behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central Standings.
Up Next
The Milwaukee Brewers will send Jason Alexander (0-0, 2.16 ERA) to the mound against the Reds and Graham Ashcraft (30, 2.22 ERA). The second game of the series will be played at 3:10 PM CST.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!