Cincinnati’s offense put up two touchdowns worth of runs on Wednesday afternoon against the Brewers. They needed all of it, too, as Milwaukee also put up double digits on the day as the two teams traded 6-run innings in each of their final at-bats.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Brewers (20-12) |
11 | 15 | 2 |
| Cincinnati Reds (7-24) | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| W: Diaz (1-0) L: Houser (3-3) |
|||
| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Offense
Cincinnati didn’t waste any time on Wednesday afternoon. TJ Friedl singled and an error put Tommy Pham on as well. Tyler Stephenson then came through with an RBI double to make it 1-0. Colin Moran followed with a walk to load the bases. Tyler Naquin then cleared them with a 3-run triple to extend the Reds lead to 4-0.The next inning it was Friedl that got things started again, this time with a bunt single with one out. The next two batters walked to load the bases, and after a Mike Moustakas strikeout, it was Stephenson who got the job done with a base clearing double to make it 7-0.
The Brewers got back in the game in the 3rd and 4th innings, cutting the Reds lead to 7-4. Colin Moran wanted to give the bullpen a little more room to work with and doubled to lead off the bottom of the 5th. He would come around to score on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Farmer.
The next inning saw some mistakes on the bases from the Reds. TJ Friedl singled into right field, but a perfect throw from Hunter Renfroe nailed Friedl at second base. Tommy Pham would leg out an infield single with two outs, but he was picked off to end the inning.
Cincinnati wasn’t quite finished piling on the runs for the day. After Milwaukee cut their lead to 8-5 with a run in the top of the 8th, the Reds got some help from J.C. Mejia, who walked the bases loaded with one out before Tommy Pham ripped a 2-run single to pad the lead to 10-5. Mike Moustakas followed up with an RBI single of his own to make it 11-5. The piling wasn’t over. Colin Moran came to the plate with two outs and clobbered a 3-run opposite field homer to make it two touchdowns for the Reds on the day. It would turn out that they needed all of them.
The Pitching
Vladimir Gutierrez got some help from his catcher in the 1st inning. Kolten Wong led off with a double, but with Christian Yelich at the plate he tried to steal third and was thrown out by Aramis Garcia. That was a pivotal play because Yelich doubled later in the at-bat, but now it came with the bases empty. Gutierrez followed up by striking out Rowdy Tellez to end the inning.
After a 1-2-3 2nd inning the Brewers got to Gutierrez in the 3rd. Lorenzo Cain singled to lead off the inning and Jace Peterson walked. Both would come around to score on a 2-out homer from Christian Yelich, cutting into the Reds lead and making it a 7-3 ballgame. In the 4th inning it was a solo homer from Hunter Renfroe that brought Milwaukee closer. Guiterrez exited the game in the 5th inning with two outs, but two men on base, and turned the game over to Alexis Diaz. He would hit Rowdy Tellez with the first pitch he threw to load the bases, but he needed just three pitches to strike out Luis Urias to hold onto a 7-4 lead. Diaz returned for the next inning and tossed a shutout frame.
Jeff Hoffman took over in the 7th inning and set the Brewers down in order. He kept that going for the first two batters of the 8th inning, too, but Hunter Renfroe ruined the party with his second home run of the game to make it 8-5. Omar Narvaez followed with a double and things started to feel a bit shaky for Cincinnati, but Hoffman got Lorenzo Cain to ground out to end the inning.
After a huge bottom of the 8th that saw the Reds pummel the Brewers bullpen and make it a 14-5 game, Cincinnati turned the 9th inning over to Dauri Moreta. Jace Peterson homered to lead off the inning. Kolten Wong followed with a single and that 6-run 8th inning was starting to feel real important all of a sudden because Mike Brosseau came off of the bench and hit a 2-run homer to make it 14-8. Christian Yelich thenĀ lined a ball into the right field corner for a triple to complete the cycle. Rowdy Tellez followed with a single to center to make it 14-9 before David Bell came out of the bullpen to replace Moreta and bring in Joel Kuhnel.
The pitching change changed nothing as the first pitch from Kuhnel went for a double and it was 14-10 and there were still no outs. Hunter Renfroe struck out for the first out of the inning, but Omar Narvaez doubled in a run off of the wall in center to make it 14-11. Lorenzo Cain grounded out to second base for the second out. Jace Peterson would follow up with a ground out of his own to finally end the game after a disastrous 9th inning.
Key Moment of the Game
Tyler Stephenson’s 3-run double in the second inning that made it a 7-0 game.
Notes Worth Noting
The Cincinnati Reds have now won two consecutive series.
Christian Yelich has three cycles in his career. They’ve all been against the Cincinnati Reds.
Alexis Diaz dropped his ERA to 0.59 on the season.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates
Thursday May 12th, 6:35pm ET
Connor Overton (0-0, 2.53 ERA) vs. JT Brubaker (0-2, 5.68 ERA)
Well, that was ugly! But a Win is a Win! And, anytime the Reds beat the Bernies is a good day!
+500
A VERY good day.
Even competitive teams occasionally have ugly wins.
Good thing the Brewers missed that field goal at the end. Reds almost got their “Bell” rung.
Cue Cat Stevens … “Ooh, Baby, baby it’s a Wild World!”
Another monkey off our backs.
TySteve just might be the real deal.
We keep losing monkeys we’ll have PETA on our backs!
I am disturbed by Daunte Moreta. I wonder if David Bell over-used him and now his arm is weak/sore/something?
Losing a wild one is not as good as winning one.
Won 2 out of three from Milwaukee (and could have won the middle game, too, with a little luck). And now on to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates, then Cleveland and Toronto (where the Reds have usually gotten whacked). But then home to play the Cubs.
I think the Reds hit bottom last week, when they lost 18-4. The team actually seems to be finding an identity, and some people are emerging as players.
If the Reds could play 0.500 ball the rest of the season (and a big if at that) they would win 72 games, or there abouts.
I think the horrible nightmare part of the season is over now. Maybe.
@David, I think you’re onto something with Moreta. Except for one outing, he had a very good April but May has been terrible. He’s been used 15 times in only 4 weeks. This getting only 3-4 innings out of our starters has got to stop soon. We won’t have a bullpen left by June. Practically every pitcher the Reds have is on the MLB roster or injured except Marinan and Solomon. Not any reinforcements available in the minors.
When the Reds got to 14, I decided to go out for my afternoon walk because the shade and cloud situation looked favorable. I walked literal about a mile and a half.
As I came back by the screen I saw it was still streaming from Cincinnati and thought it must be highlights! I realized it wasn’t highlights when I saw the score and that a man was on 2nd with just 1 out!
After 14 runs I stopped watching and came down stairs and made coffee. Then a few minutes later wanted to check box scores. Saw reds still playing and score. Was like wtf
Happy Birthday and glad to see good report re. health! Another good article Doug! Enjoy your reports, MLB and minor leagues. Well written. That being said, Imo Friedl trying to take extra base is a base running mistake. Only perfect throw nails him. Like the aggressiveness. Hope keep putting pressure on defense.
It’s my Birthday. Reds won. Brewers lost. Colonoscopy came back clean. Great day to be alive!
Happy birthday, and congrats! š
Congratulations! The only thing that really matters is the colonoscopy, but it is nice to have other things to celebrate too.
Happy Birthday. It’s my son’s and my sister’s birthday as well.
Happy Colonoscopy!!!
Glad it worked out for you today and happy bday
2 series in a row. ITs a good day. GABP and the 85 degree temps have ignited this offense. Tyler Stephenson looks great. Get India back and some stability to the lineup.
Unfortunately, significant sorting is still needed in 2022 to gauge the future. If that means Vlad isnt part of the SP rotation and some bullpen guys cant be counted upon, better to identify and work through those issues this season.
On to Pittsburgh!
The Pirates aren’t that bad. I like our ceiling much better of course, but not sure I agree with you that the Reds are better now? Not with our pen. Michael Chavis looks like a pretty good hitter….sort of like their Drury. Cubs are scrapping, but they’re really banged up. Nico Hoerner went out injured again. He’s their Senzel.
The key with the Reds is can their offense translate on the road? Naquin’s triple was a GABP special. Of course we give up cheap hrs/extra base hits like crazy too.
Overall maybe the Reds aren’t that bad? Justin Wilson would help.
Maybe it is optimism, but I think the Reds can be competitive next year. Greene and Lodolo have to become #1 and #2 pitchers which is not a sure thing. I expect Castillo and Mahle to be gone, but wish they would extend one. I prefer Castillo, but like Mahle as well. Hey, they have Votto for another year. I do not think his day is done, yet. Why not try to be competitive?
@Indy
Reds won 4/6 . Im good with that.
But Pirates just called up cincy high school lefty reliever and UC pitcherCam Alldred
Im rooting for the Reds in pittsburgh. But im rooting for Cam out of the pen . Unreal competitor who has worked his tail off. He gets to make his debut this weekend against his hometown team
An issue I am seeing more and more is that no one in the bullpen is reliable over a stretch of a week or two.
I am starting to wonder if there are significant shortcomings in how the pen is organized in general, prepared for each team and pitchers monitored/ maintained.
I feel like if this team had some roles in the bullpen maybe guys could put their hat on something and be ready to compete when they are called in to pitch.
Have I mentioned I hate bullpen by committee?
Are the Reds are pulling a āMajor Leagueā? Albert Almora as Willie Mays Hays, and a host of candidates to be Wild Thing. Aquino is an almost perfect Pedro Cerano, and maybe he will be back.
Almost had them whatās known as a winning streak.
Speaking of Aquino, prior to whatever he may do today/ this evening, he already has hit 2 HRs at AAA but struck out 4 times by my back of the napkin accounting. Think he has made 1 or maybe 2 outs that weren’t Ks; and, the HRs were his only hits and times of positive OPB creation.
Remember a few years ago Josh VanMeter hit like 11 hrs for Lville in April and looked like Josh Hamilton. Pretty doubtful AA ever makes it
I think Asia could be where he lands. Breaking balls supposedly aren’t quite as sharp, fastballs not quite as quick or lively. He could be a kid in a candy shop. And when he tags one, it stays tagged which would add to the persona.
Never makes what he would make here as a top tier guy but with endorsements probably makes more than anybody in MLB who is not All Star caliber year in and out. Certainly, he’d do better than a 5th outfielder who lives from year to year and makes MLB minimum or lower 6 figure money as minor league free agent used as a draw.
How about that. 2of 3 from the Red’s old nemesis. On to the Burgh for a four-gamer.
Go Reds! Good game for us.
So the pitching did collapse and the Reds won anyway. Thatās something. Still donāt like leaving a pitcher in the game when heās obviously getting shelled but they survived.
Cheer up. Maybe the Reds will lose their next game.
You have to admit the Reds scoring 14 is not a frequent occurrence but the pitching going belly up is.
After the season start, I think us Red’s fans are now more surprised than cheered up.
Moreta feels like the choice to option when pitcher limit is reduced to 13.
Gutierrez could go ahead and be optioned with two off days forthcoming. Overton/Mahle/Castillo/Greene vs. Pittsburgh. (Minor on rehab Sunday)
Off day Monday, Overton/Mahle vs Guardians.
Off day Thursday, slot Minor on Friday, then Castillo, Greene, Mahle, Overton, etc.
lodolo is going saturday
Where are you seeing this at? I looked around and couldn’t find anyone saying it.
reds.com lists their probable starter Saturday as Castillo.
All signs point to Nick Lodolo returning to the mound on Saturday to play the Pittsburgh Pirates. The rookie has been sidelined over the past week-plus with lower back tightness.
That was LAST Saturday’s news, Jay. He then had back issues on Friday and didn’t pitch.
Moreta needs some AAA work. I think he will be good time.
Rough day for Gutierrez and Moreta. Iām hoping Vlad is done in the rotation, at least for now – Iāve been skeptical on him for awhile, but I wonāt brag about that because Iāve also wanted Santillan to start instead of Vlad. But when a reliever needs to go down to make room I hope itās Strickland and not Moreta. I think Moreta has a much higher upside. But youāve got to be happy with the offense the last six games. And that should only get better as India, Senzel and Votto return with Barrero not too far behind. Three of four in Pittsburgh? Why not? Go Reds!
Barrero idt would be a big thing in Cincinnati mostly if our rookie in minors lighting it up and with the wrist injury and might had surgery will set him back on that track he was on. Also mc look like good shortstop of the future
McLain has a fairly low ceiling. He isn’t the shortstop of the future.
Oh, and by the way, McLain is hitting worse in AA than Barerro did, and Barerro was younger.
I have a much different perspective on Vlad’s outing @CFD. I think this was probably his best outing of the year. I’m not saying he should stay in rotation but definitely a start he can build from.
I didnāt see the game – just summaries and the box score. And I trust you Redsvol that the numbers may be worse than the eye test would suggest. But Steve Mancuso listed a stat after the game that is telling. There are 350 pitchers with 10 or more innings pitched so far this year in MLB. Gutierrez ranks 350th (yep, dead last) on that list in xFIP. Thatās bad. By the way – our own Hunter Strickland is right behind him at 349th. Also bad. For me I think both of them have things to work on at AAA (probably along with Tony Santillan) before they get more MLB innings. In the meantime Iām happy to see Castillo, Mahle, Overton, Greene and Lodolo filling the Reds rotation.
Barrero has a career ba of .197 in the majors,i can’t bring myself to be excited about him.
That’s in a small sample size, though. His good hitting in the high minors is also a fairly small sample size. I’m still excited to see what he can do in a more extended trial. There’s lots of potential–he had some outstanding exit velocities, and the rest of his game is MLB ready right now.
He reminds me a lot of Branden Larsen
Brandon, we hardly knew ya….I am avoiding considering that there is a resemblance.
.197 is an upgrade over Kyle Farmer.
Farmer is hitting .196 after 118 at bats with a wRC+ of 55 and fWAR of -0.7 in every day playing time.
Are the people who wanted Colin Moran released a week ago still want him gone?
I am really surprised there are so many comments like this on this blog. People what to declare victory and say āI told you soā using a minuscule sample size to make their point.
A good way to gauge a playerās ability is to judge him over the course of time. Baseball people believe it takes about 1500 major League at bats to get a sense of what kind a hitter the players actually is.
Itās not something you can do over four or five ballgames or even a month or six months
Regardless, of hitting well that last few days, Colin Moran is still hitting just hitting .215 overall. My guess is a couple home runs hasnāt changed many opinions.
It has suppressed some of the comments, though. I agree with you, Votto, but that applies to the comments prior to his having played a game for the Reds–same thing with Pham.
I wouldn’t be sad either way. If they call up Cedrola and give Lopez more at bats, I’d call that a win. This season is all about development and figuring out what they have with some of the younger prospects.
Colin Moran makes for a fine DH or 1st base sub – so an ideal bench player. April was too small a sample size to make any judgement from. But I wouldn’t want to see him play third base of left field.
Even though small sample size, I am disappointed by the pitching as a whole this year. Way too many walks, way too short starts by starting pitchers and no-one in bullpen really showing they can lock down an inning (except Jeff Hoffman maybe?).
The problem with Moran from a roster standpoint is that he is pretty much the same commodity as Moustakas and Votto — LH-hitting corner infielder with mediocre at best fielding ability. They don’t need two of those guys, much less three of them.
I will concede that he has played well since his initial cold start, and I will further concede that Moustakas has, as well. I’ve been hard on Moose, but I have also always believed that he has a very simple swing that ought to have aged well. We are seeing that now, so maybe he can produce enough to help, or to convince the Blue Jays to take on some of his contract.
Moving forward with a bullpen down to eight pitchers, and considering performance so far, only five players are secured: Diaz, Sims, Warren, Hoffman and Cessa. The other three are for grabs.
Totally agree with this. I would like to see more of Solomon though. He looked really good the other night.
A win is a win and I will take it! Especially after the horrid start to the season. But I am concerned about the pitching. Other than one or two exceptions, it seems like everyone is either really inconsistent or mightily struggling. How do people feel about Derek Johnson? I know he was considered to be a great pickup, and I always kind of assumed he was doing a good job. But the numbers would suggest otherwise.
I have no realistic basis on which to judge DJ. The pitching this year is underwhelming as was the bullpen much of last year. But nobody can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Gray had a resurgence after he got to Cincy, and Miley was very good most of 2021.
Stephenson – 2R..3H…4RBI….as the DH. š
Good move Mr. Bell š
Also .322/.397/.559/.956….batting 5th.
Maybe Mr. Bell will make another smart move soon. š
Thought this weekend, the day game after a night game, he should have played first base rather than being on the bench. That bat needs to play every day.
Correction* Friedl trying to take extra base is (NOT) a base running mistake.
Cycle for Yelich, 3 total in career, all against the Reds. Can’t help but wonder how the Reds team of the last few years would have fared had we made the trade sending Hunter Greene to the Marlins to get him instead of having to see him beat up on us constantly in a Brewers uniform.
Usually, it’s the trades we did make that we focus on but in this case it’s the one that was on the table that we didn’t pull the trigger on that haunts us.
While this game was going on was out watching the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in a businessman’s special beat up on the Brewers AAA team the Nashville Sounds. It was throw back jersey day for the Shrimp who wore negro league Red Caps gear including a Red cap so was almost imagining it was a Reds minor league team instead of the Marlins.
I have never understood the obsession with the Yelich trade. First we have no clue what the asking price was or what the Reds offered. I have heard things like Senzel and Greene were the starting point, which in hindsight Senzel has been injured the entire time, but no one could have predicted that. Greene could turn out to be a bust as well, but if he turns into an ace then everyone would lose their minds. However the biggest issue with this trade at the time was, the Reds weakness was pitching. Yes Yelich improves the offense, but they still would have needed pitching, and Yelich’s contract while cheap compared to his production, would have prevented some other signing the Reds made.
To me trading for Yelich would have led to the same exact number of playoff wins and ended with the same dumpster fire we have now.
Thought this weekend, the day game after a night game, he should have played first base rather than being on the bench. That bat needs to play every day.