Reds Climb Out Of Basement With Win Over Brewers


The Cincinnati Reds were able to continue a modest two-game winning streak. After blasting four homers against the Giants, the Redlegs continued their power surge. With home runs from Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips, and Adam Duvall, Cincinnati defeated the Milwaukee Brewers. The 9-5 thumping helped the Reds climb out of the Central Division basement.

The Reds were able to attack the Brewers quickly. The barrage started in the bottom of the first inning. Cincinnati sent nine batters to the plate. Brewers’ starter Chase Anderson continued his horrid stretch of pitching. The Reds lit him up for five runs, in his first frame of work. Anderson was able to last five innings but eventually gave up seven runs. The righty saw his ERA balloon to a lofty 6.44.

On the other hand, Alfredo Simon responded with one of his best performances of the season. Simon delivered 7.2 strong innings of work. He allowed three earned runs, seven hits, one walk, and five strikeouts. His time on the mound extended the starting rotation’s streak of quality starts.

Reds Climb
[Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images]

Reds manager Bryan Price was relieved to see Simon get back on track. He talked about the importance of his start, per the Cincinnati Reds website.

“It’s big for everyone, and probably no more important than for [Simon] himself, to know that he can go out there and throw that kind of game.”

The Reds’ right-hander was ecstatic about his performance. Simon entered last night’s contest with a record of 0-3 and a 13.50 ERA.

“April was tough. When I came from the Dominican, my arm was not really in shape to throw a lot of pitches. But now I feel comfortable. I had the tendinitis and my arm is feeling a lot better right now.”

Simon is the lone veteran on the Reds pitching staff. Price had mentioned the need for him to go more innings in order to take some of the strain off the bullpen.

“We know he’s the one veteran on a young staff,” Price said. “He’s got to be the workhorse, eat up some innings.”

The Reds added two runs in the second when Phillips sent a pitch into the center field seats. Joey Votto scored to give the Reds a 7-0 lead. The Brewers made a run at Cincinnati when they scored three quick runs on Simon in the top of the eighth. Adam Duvall gave the home team some insurance when he lifted a 1-0 pitch out of the park.

“We’ve all seen so many games, and you see games that get away that you should win every now and again and that, when you score early and you don’t score again, sometimes the opposing teams don’t feel like you’re out of it,” Price explained, via MLB.com. “The add-on runs, even if it’s a single run every few innings, it makes a difference. I think it really keeps a team that’s behind not feeling like they have as good of a chance to come back.”

Reds Climb
[Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images]

Duvall has been on a hot streak that Price has happily noticed.

“It’s not just the home runs, but the doubles. He somehow finds a way to smoke at least one ball a game that does some damage. The other thing that has gone relatively unnoticed is how good he’s gotten accustomed to playing left field.”

Those runs were needed. The Reds bullpen was called upon and promptly made the game interesting. They kept their Major League record streak alive as J.J. Hoover delivered a Chris Carter homer. The bullpen has now allowed opposing teams to score in 23 straight games.

The Reds will try to make it three in a row as they resume the series Friday night. Tim Adelman will make his second start for the Redlegs. The Brewers will counter with Tyler Cravy. He’ll also be making his first start this season.

[Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images]

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