Ortiz homer gives Brewers 5-3 comeback win over Reds

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Joey Ortiz had a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 5-3 comeback victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.

Held to one hit through five innings by Nick Lodolo, the Brewers tied it against Chase Petty with two runs in the sixth and Brice Turang’s solo homer, his 12th, in the seventh.

Sal Frelick singled with one out in the eighth off Sam Moll (1-6) and advanced on a sacrifice. Tejay Antone relieved and Ortiz sent a 1-1 pitch 412 feet to center for his second homer.

Aaron Ashby (11-1) tossed a scoreless eighth for his major league-leading 11th victory, and Trevor Megill finished with a perfect ninth for his 11th save in 13 opportunities.

Elly De La Cruz, activated off the injured list June 23 after almost three weeks with a strained right hamstring, put the Reds in front 3-0 in the fifth with his 13th homer, a two-run shot off Robert Gasser in his sixth game since returning.

Edwin Arroyo singled with one out and De La Cruz followed with his first homer since May 23, sending the first pitch 412 feet to left-center.

The Brewers scored twice in the sixth off Petty, who relieved to start the inning. Andrew Vaughn doubled with one out and Christian Yelich walked. Jake Bauers followed with a pinch-hit RBI single, sending Yelich to third. Yelich scored on a wild pitch.

Reds centerfielder Dane Myers was removed from the field on a cart in the fourth inning after crashing into the outfield wall on a running backhanded grab on Vaughn’s leadoff drive.

Myers’ RBI double in the first staked the Reds to a 1-0 lead.

RHP Brandon Sproat (2-4, 5.43) starts for the Brewers Tuesday, while RHP Rhett Lowder (3-5, 4.81) starts for the Reds.

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Cincinnati Reds' Dane Myers runs into the wall after making a catch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz (44) smiles as he rounds the base after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Sal Frelick falls to the ground after taking a pitch to draw a walk during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Brice Turang is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Brice Turang hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

TORONTO (AP) — The first half of the season has been a messy one for the last-place New York Mets.

Now, even the routine plays aren't routine.

Toronto designated hitter George Springer rounded the bases on a Little League home run against the Mets on Monday night when New York star left fielder Juan Soto misplayed a sinking line drive and center fielder A.J. Ewing flubbed the throw backing up the play.

Springer led off the bottom of the first by looping a ball to left against Mets pitcher Sean Manaea. The ball bounced in front of Soto, and the highest-paid player in Mets history fanned while reaching for it.

“It just took a weird hop on me and bounced a little different,” Soto said. “I thought I had a chance and then it just kept dying. I definitely took a good first step but the ball kept just dying.”

The ball rolled all the way to the wall as the 36-year-old Springer chugged around the bases.

Ewing came over to field it behind Soto, only to have the ball slip out of his glove as he tried to pick it up. The ball rolled back to the fence for a second time. Soto picked it up, but by the time he had it in his hand, Springer had rounded third and was heading for home.

Interim Mets manager Andy Green said Soto played Springer's ball aggressively but was beaten by a turf bounce.

“I think every single time I’ve come to Toronto I’ve seen that particular play,” Green said. “Not necessarily the finish of that play. I know A.J. usually makes the transfer fine, but that play happens frequently here and it got us in the first."

Springer was given a triple, his first of the year, with a one-base error.

“It was funny after the fact that he was out of breath for the next three innings,” Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage said of his veteran teammate

Springer jokingly disputed Yesavage's account.

“Like nine (innings),” he said of his fight for wind. “Had to get this old body ready to run a little bit faster, but it's all good.”

The error was Ewing's second of the season. Shortstop Francisco Lindor made an error later in the game, boosting New York's total to 56 on the season, third-most in the majors behind the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer, right, celebrates with teammate Nathan Lukes (38) as he comes in to score after hitting a triple on an in-field home run after a fielding error by New York Mets' A.J. Ewing during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Monday, June 29, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer runs home after hitting a triple on an in-field home run after a fielding error by New York Mets' A.J. Ewing during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Monday, June 29, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)