Brewers: Reds snap 6-game win streak, eliminate Crew
By Phil Watson
The Milwaukee Brewers will not win the National League Central in 2015.
This isn’t news to anyone who has seen the team play this season, but that became official on Sunday with a 6-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
ALSO ON DAIRYLAND EXPRESS: Milwaukee’s Best: The Best Of Braves, Brewers
The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Brewers (60-76) and prevented a second consecutive series sweep.
Cincinnati (56-79) roughed up right-hander Jimmy Nelson (11-11) for five runs on nine hits in five innings. Nelson walked two and struck out three.
More from Milwaukee Brewers
- Milwaukee Brewers are making a bold bet with Jackson Chourio
- 5 Pitchers Milwaukee Brewers Should Trade For
- Milwaukee Brewers: 3 trade packages the New York Mets could make for Corbin Burnes
- This former player will eventually manage the Milwaukee Brewers
- Milwaukee Brewers: 3 trade packages the Baltimore Orioles could offer for Corbin Burnes
Michael Lorenzen (4-8) got his first win in more than two months, working 5.1 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits. After three relievers bridged the gap, Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his 28th save.
“Maybe people are going to take this the wrong way, but we were eliminated in the first month of the season when we didn’t play well,” All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez told MLB.com. “Our chances were lost back then and now that it’s official, it stinks.
“It’s tough to swallow when you think about it. We put ourselves in this position.”
But the young arms—Nelson, Taylor Jungmann and Zach Davies are not yet arbitration-eligible and Wily Peralta will be for the first time this winter—provide some hope for the future.
And that’s what the final month will be about for the Crew.
Sep 6, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett (2) is tagged out by Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) after Gennett was caught off base in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
“We’re going to figure out who is good enough,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a showcase.”
Cincinnati took the lead in the first when Jay Bruce beat out an infield single to score Joey Votto on a play the Brewers challenged unsuccessfully.
Brandon Phillips made it 3-0 in the third with his 11th home run of the season following a walk to Joey Votto with two outs.
Bruce hit a two-run shot in the fifth, his 20th of the year, to put Cincinnati up 5-0.
The Brewers finally got to Lorenzen in the sixth. Jonathan Lucroy led off with a double, went to third on a single by Ryan Braun and scored on a fielder’s choice from Adam Lind.
Sep 6, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun prepares in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Khris Davis singled and Shane Peterson lined a single to center to make it 5-2, ending the day for Lorenzen.
Sam LeCure got the final two outs of the inning to put down the threat.
Ryan Braun hit his 25th homer of the season, lining a shot to left-center in the eighth off J.J. Hoover, but right-hander David Goforth gave up an unearned run in the bottom of the inning. Ramon Cabrera reached when Scooter Gennett made a poor throw to first and later scored on a double-play grounder by Todd Frazier.
Tyler Cravy returned from the disabled list and worked the sixth inning, allowing a hit and striking out two. Goforth went two innings, giving up two hits and two walks along with the unearned tally.
Live Feed
Reviewing the Brew
Braun had two of Milwaukee’s nine hits.
Davies (0-0, 8.31 ERA) gets the ball for his second career start Monday afternoon at 12:10 p.m. Central in Miami, with left-hander Justin Nicolino (3-2, 3.07) scheduled for the Marlins.
In his debut, Davies gave up four runs on four hits and three walks in 4.1 innings, taking a no-decision Wednesday in Milwaukee’s 9-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park.
Nicolino has made seven starts, including allowing two runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 6.2 innings of a 6-2 win at Miller Park over the Brewers on Aug. 17.
He worked seven shutout innings on Tuesday, surrendering six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in a 7-1 win over the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.
Next: Bullpen Adds Arm As Cravy Activated From DL