Milwaukee Brewers fans couldn’t be too stingy after the team played five of their best games so far this year, all good things have to come to an end.
After the bats were awake and on fire, the same couldn’t be said for Sunday afternoon as the Brewers looked to sweep another series, and the Cincinnati Reds came back with a vengeance, snapping Milwaukee’s winning streak, 4-3 at American Family Field.
Milwaukee Brewers Couldn’t Keep Bats Hot
While Joey Ortiz smashed a two-run home run to get the Brewers started early in DL Hall’s return, everything abruptly came to a halt with Hall gave up two runs in the fourth and a homer off the bat of Tyler Stephenson in the fifth inning. Santiago Espinal scored the go-ahead run in the seventh that secured the Reds’ win.
DL Hall returned to the mound for the first time since April 20 after spending four months on the injury list after taking a ball to the knee while fielding a bunt.
“I’m just super grateful to be back,” Hall said. “It seemed like it was never going to come this year after all the stuff that happened throughout rehab. I think just the thought of getting to feel that feeling again that I felt today just kept me going. I was just so ready to get back and I’m just blessed that I was able to.”
Hall struck out a career-high nine batters in 4 2/3 innings of work in his sixth career start. Before he was removed, the Reds were able to tie up the game in the fourth inning after Steer singled, Stuart Fairchild walked, and TJ Friedl was hit by a pitch to load up the bases. Espinal was able to drive in two runs with a two-out single.
William Contreras and manager Pat Murphy Ejected in the Eighth Inning
Even though Willy Adames tied it up in the sixth inning, the Milwaukee Brewers found themselves in a double-play kind of bind. There was visible frustration seen from the crew, who went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position, Jackson Chourio slamming his bat to the ground after he struck out swinging in the fifth inning and Sal Frelick was attempting to steal second base. Chourio’s bat-slamming led to interference, which then got them into an inning-ending double play.
Down one, the Brewers just couldn’t seem to get their bats going how they were in the past five games. Gary Sanchez was walked in the sixth inning and was followed by a double from William Contreras. After Adames scored, Contreras was thrown from the game in the eighth inning after it seemed like he was voicing his frustration on previous at-bats. Brewers’ manager Pat Murphy was also tossed from the game after his all-star catcher was thrown out.
No Sweep for the Brewers, but Looking Forward to Upcoming Series
The Milwaukee Brewers weren’t able to grab the sweep against the Reds, but a series win is a series win, so that’s encouraging going into the start of a new week. The crew will start a three-game highly anticipated series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who the Brewers aren’t too far behind in terms of record. It’ll be a pitching duel between Freddy Peralta and Clayton Kershaw as Milwaukee looks to start fresh and get that winning streak going once again. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10PM CST at American Family Field on Monday night.
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