Host Brewers, Reds battle for top of NL Central
boom Cincinnati Reds They will have a chance to clinch the top spot in the National League Central when they begin a three-game series on Monday at front-running Milwaukee.
Right-hander Colin Reed (5-4, 4.64 ERA) made the start. brewersWhen reds Counter with right-hander Graham Ashcraft (5-7, 5.77)
Cincinnati has won five straight within half a game brewers, Milwaukee won two of three against it at home Reds Going into the All-Star break, began the second half with a three-game sweep at Cincinnati
“We know who we are up against,” Reds manager David Bell said. “They have a good team, but there’s no doubt that our players want that opportunity. They want to be in that moment, they want to play the best teams. They’ve worked hard to put us in a position where these games are important.
Reds Arizona completed a three-game sweep at home with a 7-3 win on Sunday behind homers from rookie sensation Eli De La Cruz and Nick Senzel.
Milwaukee lost 4-2 to Atlanta on Sunday in the rubber game of the series between the divisional leaders after Ozzie Albies hit a three-run homer off Elvis Peguero in the eighth to break the deadlock. brewers Bullpen streak at 28 2/3
“It’s a huge number. They’ve been a big reason we’re where we are.” brewers manager Craig Council said. “The weight we have to point out is we’re giving them a one-run lead and scoring two runs no matter what happens in the rest of the game, that’s probably not going to win you a lot of games.
brewersThe Yankees, who were 6-0-1 in their last seven series, dropped to 9-35 when scoring three or fewer runs, compared to 46-10 when scoring at least four.
Ashcraft, making his sixth start since coming off the injured list, looks to be back on track after a tough stretch. He was 2–0 with a 2.00 ERA in his first six games, then 1–6 with a 12.82 ERA over the next eight games. In his last four starts, he is 2–1 with a 1.82 ERA.
Ashcraft is 0-4 with an 8.03 ERA in five career starts. Milwaukee went 0-2 this season, giving up 11 earned runs in 10 innings.
Milwaukee is 10-6 in games started by Reid, who was called up in mid-April to reinforce brewers‘Injured Rocker’
In his last start, Reed gave up two earned runs in five innings, but did not receive a decision in a 5–3 victory in Philadelphia.
Rhea is 4–0 with a 6.20 ERA in five career games, including four starts against Reds, He is 1-0 with a 7.45 ERA in two starts this season, and has given up eight earned runs in 9 2/3 innings.
brewers When second baseman Bryce Turang collided with right fielder Sal Freelick, playing his second game, on a shallow flyout in the seventh inning, he got a scare.
“We were trying to get out, we got out and we moved on to the next innings,” Turang said. “I’m glad he’s OK, I’m glad I’m OK.”
The council said that both the players are likely to be available on Monday.
“They clearly remained in the game,” Counsell said. “They are a bit sore, so I would say we are optimistic for tomorrow, but we definitely have to check them tomorrow.”
–Field Level Media
