Reds Recap: Brewers’ Fireworks
There were fireworks on the Fourth of July, but the more impressive ones were hit by the Milwaukee Brewers in their 7-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
Game Summary:
The day started out alright for Reds’ starter Josh Smith. It was his first game at home, and the comfort factor led him to throw the first three innings of scoreless baseball. On top of that the Reds took to lead early on a Marlon Byrd home run in the bottom of the 2nd inning, but that would not last.
The Brewers would tie the game in the top of the 4th inning when Adam Lind hit his 13th home run of the season. Then in the 5th inning things would things would get out of hand when the Brewers put up a 6-spot on the scoreboard.
Ryan Braun drove in Gerardo Parra on a single, 2-1 Brewers. After Smith hit Carlos Gomez with a pitch to load the bases, Ryan Mattheus came in to relieve Smith. With the bases loaded, Aramis Ramirez had also singled. Everyone moved up one base, 3-1. Two more consecutive singles by Jean Segura and Scooter Gennett brought to Brewers run total up to five.
The Reds were able to get Jimmy Nelson to strikeout swinging. Mattheus would then balk with the bases load forcing in a sixth run. The Reds called for the intentional walk of Parra to get to Jonathan Lucroy who walked with bases load for a gimme RBI, 7-1 Brewers.
Cincinnati drew a spec of blood in the bottom of the inning. Ivan De Jesus Jr. hit his 3rd home run of the season, 7-2 Brewers. Again in the bottom of the 6th inning the Reds would score, but it would be the last run scored by either team in the contest. Byrd single in Jay Bruce for his 2nd RBI of the game, but that is where the score would rest.
Pitching Line
Smith: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR
Mattheus: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO
Pedro Villarreal, Manny Parra, J.J. Hoover, Burke Badenhop combined for 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 SO
Batting Line
11-39 (.282/.300/.462)
The Brewers will go into Sunday’s game looking for a three game sweep of the Reds. It is becoming more and more apparent that this team, with its current collection of players neither has enough pitching (keeping in mind injuries), not the consistent offense to win games at this level.
Time to sell.