MILWAUKEE — How much worse can it get? Apparently, much worse.
The Milwaukee Brewers humiliated the Cincinnati Reds 20-0 Friday night at American Family Field, handing Cincinnati its fourth consecutive loss while clinching their eighth postseason appearance in nine years.
The Brewers scored twice in the first inning before unleashing six runs in the second against Andrew Abbott. Jackson Chourio doubled home Cooper Pratt, Brice Turang launched a three-run homer and Jake Bauers followed with a two-run shot to give Milwaukee an 8-0 lead.
Abbott’s disastrous outing ended after only two innings. The left-hander allowed eight runs on nine hits, surrendered two home runs and failed to record a strikeout while throwing 43 pitches.
Somehow, things only got worse.
Milwaukee added another run against Julian Garcia in the fourth before mauling Luis Mey for eight runs in the fifth. Chourio and Turang each drove in a run, William Contreras added a two-run single and Garrett Mitchell put the finishing touches on both the inning and the Reds with a grand slam that extended the lead to 17-0.
Every player in Milwaukee’s starting lineup recorded a hit. Chourio finished 4-for-6 with three runs and two RBIs, Turang went 3-for-3 with four RBIs and Contreras drove in six. Mitchell added three hits, three runs and four RBIs.
While Milwaukee collected 23 hits, Cincinnati managed two. Both belonged to Sal Stewart.
Dustin May held the Reds scoreless over six innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out six. Garrett Stallings completed the two-hit shutout with three hitless innings.
The 20-run margin was the largest victory in Major League Baseball history by a team on the night it clinched a postseason berth. Milwaukee also became the first team in MLB history to record multiple shutout victories by at least 20 runs during the same season.
The Brewers improved to 92-56 and secured another trip to October. Cincinnati fell to 69-78 and continued its journey toward another merciful end to another miserable season. Perhaps the most interesting note, and a perfect illustration of how this season has gone, is that catcher José Treviño pitched in his seventh game last night. That's two more appearances than Hunter Greene.
What’s Next: The Reds will attempt to salvage some dignity when the series continues Saturday night at American Family Field. Brady Singer is scheduled to start for Cincinnati, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. ET.
