Defense And Bullpen Stand Out, But Not Enough in Loss to Cincinnati

[Michael Trzinski]

Image courtesy of © Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers came into the final regular season weekend needing one win or a Philadelphia Phillies loss to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Cincinnati Reds were looking for one win to stay in the running for the final National League wild card spot. The Brewers failed but the Reds did not, with the visitors edging the Brewers 3-1 Friday night at Uecker Field at American Family Park.

The Brewers got on the board first in the third inning when Brice Turang singled to center, scoring Christian Yelich, who had doubled with one out. Those two hits and one run were literally the extent of the Brewers' offense, with Sal Frelick's fourth-inning single the final safety of the game for Milwaukee.

Kenosha native Gavin Lux made the Brewers question why they didn't acquire him a couple of years ago when they had a chance, as Lux hit a pair of two-base hits and scored two runs to lead the Reds to victory.

Joey Ortiz, Brewers Defense Shine
Although the Brewers were defeated 3-1, the score could have been worse if not for Joey O. and his defensive mates. In the top of the first, third baseman Andruw Monasterio fielded a grounder by Noelvi Marte. Brice Turang scooped his quick throw to second on one hop for the out. In the fourth inning, Ortiz fired a ball to second, and Turang's throw to first was short but was snagged by Andrew Vaughn to turn the twin killing. Ortiz made two more sensational plays against Marte and Matt McLain in the late innings to keep the Reds off the scoreboard.

Bullpens Almost Flawless For Both Teams
While Quinn (The Reverend) Priester struggled (5 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 K), his bullpen mates pitched quite well, with Nick Mears and Tobias Myers combining to allow only one walk in four innings while striking out three. For the Reds, after starter Zack Littell gave up three hits, one run, and two walks in 4.2 innings, a foursome of relievers were almost perfect. Connor Phillips, Graham Ashcraft, Tony Santillan, and Emilio Pagan gave up only one walk in 4.1 innings while striking out six batters.

Top Performers
Christian Yelich, 1-for-4, 2B, R
Brice Turang, 1-for-4, RBI
Sal Frelick, 1-for-4

Not Great, Bob
Everybody else, 0-for-18

On Tap
With Philadelphia beating the Minnesota Twins on Friday, the Brewers still need a win or a Philly loss for that home-field advantage. The Brewers close the regular season with two more games against Cincinnati. On Saturday, Robert Gasser will make his second start of the season for the Brewers against Andrew Abbott. The season finale features Freddy Peralta against the Reds' Brady Singer.

Bullpen Usage

	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	TOT
Ashby	16	0	5	0	0	21
Koenig	19	0	16	0	0	35
Fedde	0	0	33	0	0	33
Zastryzny	17	0	0	0	0	17
Myers	0	27	0	0	36	63
Anderson	2	0	0	0	0	2
Payamps	0	0	0	0	0	0
Uribe	10	0	17	0	0	27
Mears	22	0	18	0	9	49

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