Joey Votto homered for his first hit all season against Milwaukee, Trevor Bauer dominated on short rest, and the Cincinnati Reds won a pivotal series for playoff contention, beating the Brewers 6-1 on Wednesday night.
The Reds are in position for a wild-card playoff berth after taking two of three from their NL Central rival. Cincinnati has won nine of 11, its best streak of the season, to get a shot at its first playoff appearance since 2013 under manager Dusty Baker.
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Joey Votto homered for his first hit all season against Milwaukee, Trevor Bauer dominated on short rest, and the Cincinnati Reds won a pivotal series for playoff contention, beating the Brewers 6-1 on Wednesday night.
After a day off Thursday, Cincinnati finishes with three games in Minnesota and a chance to clinch a spot.
Votto was 0 for 22 against Milwaukee this season when he connected in the first inning off Adrian Houser (1-6) for a 2-0 lead. Jesse Winker added a solo homer off Houser, who is 0-6 with a 6.70 ERA in his last nine starts.
The Brewers came up on the short end of two video replays. Avisail Garcia opened the game with a walk and was ruled safe on an attempted steal of second, but was called out on review. Hiura hit a fly that hooked foul at the left field pole in the fifth inning, a call that was upheld on replay. Hiura struck out on the next pitch.
TRAINER'S ROOM
UP NEXT
Reflecting the urgency of winning the final game of the series, Cincinnati had Bauer (5-4) pitch on three days’ rest. He allowed four hits and struck out 12 in eight innings, and left with a major league-best 1.73 ERA.
Members of the Cincinnati Reds' grounds crew react as Reds' Joey Votto runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. (AP PhotoAaron Doster)
After a day off Thursday, Cincinnati finishes with three games in Minnesota and a chance to clinch a spot.
For Milwaukee, it was a disappointing start to a challenging final week on the road. The Brewers fell a game behind the Reds and now head to St. Louis, where they'll play five games in four days with a doubleheader on Friday.
The Reds' homer-reliant offense made the difference.
Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suarez watches his three-run home run during the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. (AP PhotoAaron Doster)
Votto was 0 for 22 against Milwaukee this season when he connected in the first inning off Adrian Houser (1-6) for a 2-0 lead. Jesse Winker added a solo homer off Houser, who is 0-6 with a 6.70 ERA in his last nine starts.
The Reds pulled away with the help of an error in the fifth. Nick Castellanos reached on second baseman Keston Hiura's off-target throw. Alex Claudio relieved and walked Votto, and Eugenio Suárez hit his 15th homer for a 6-1 lead.
WRONG END OF REPLAYS
Cincinnati Reds' Trevor Bauer winds up during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. (AP PhotoAaron Doster)
The Brewers came up on the short end of two video replays. Avisail Garcia opened the game with a walk and was ruled safe on an attempted steal of second, but was called out on review. Hiura hit a fly that hooked foul at the left field pole in the fifth inning, a call that was upheld on replay. Hiura struck out on the next pitch.
WINNING SIDE
The Reds moved a game above .500 (29-28) for the third time this season. They haven't been two games over .500 since a 19-17 mark on May 13, 2017.
Milwaukee Brewers' Avisail Garcia, left, is tagged out by Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suarez while trying to steal second during the first inning of a baseball game in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. (AP PhotoAaron Doster)
TRAINER'S ROOM
Brewers: Ryan Braun got a day off as he continues to deal with a sore back. He was the DH and played right field in the first two games of the series, going 0 for 7 with three strikeouts.
Reds: LH Wade Miley was activated off the 10-day injured list. He'd been out since Aug. 28 with a strained pitching shoulder. Miley pitched the eighth and gave up one hit. The Reds plan to use him out of the bullpen the rest of the way.
Cincinnati Reds' Jesse Winker runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. (AP PhotoAaron Doster)
UP NEXT
Brewers: Corbin Burnes (4-0) pitched the series opener in St. Louis against LH Kwang Hyun Kim (2-0).
Reds: Tyler Mahle (2-2) is expected to pitch the opener in Minnesota.
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Milwaukee Brewers' Adrian Houser throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. (AP PhotoAaron Doster)