After Three Straight Shutouts, Reds Score, But Still Lose to Brewers

In their final game before the All Star Break, the Milwaukee Brewers shutout the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 at American Family Field. Immediately following the All Star Break, the Reds hosted the Brewers in a three game series. In the opener on July 14th, the Brewers again shut out the Reds 1-0. In Game 2 on July 15th, Milwaukee’s pitchers really shined. Starter Freddy Peralta allowed just one hit—a broken bat infield single—in six innings, while three relievers didn’t allow a hit in three innings as Milwaukee won 3-0 for the Brewers’ third straight shutout.

The Reds finally scored a run in the second inning of the series finale on July 16th, and held a 3-2 lead going into the top of the eighth inning. Owen Miller drove in Willy Adames with a sacrifice fly to tie it at three, and rookie Andruw Monasterio broke the tie with his second hit of the game, driving in Tyrone Taylor with what proved to be the winning run in the 4-3 Milwaukee victory.

The Brewers trailed the Reds by one game in the N.L. Central Race at the All Star Break, and leave town with a two game lead. The clubs face each other in a three game series in Milwaukee later this month, which will complete regular season play with each other. Milwaukee is 8-2 versus Cincinnati this season, which means they have already clinched the season series with their division rival. This would be a big deal if they finish in a tie, as Milwaukee holds the tie breaker. This is looking like a two horse race for the N.L. Central crown, and possibly only playoff team from this division. The Brewers are 52-42, the Reds are 50-44, and the third place Chicago Cubs are 43-49, eight games back and more or less in a holding pattern. After a fast start, the Pittsburgh Pirates (41-52) have fallen way off and are 10 ½ back, with last year’s Central champ St. Louis an astonishingly bad 39-53, 12 games out.

Here’s some highlights of the July 15th one hit shutout: