MILWAUKEE — Apparently, the Reds were capable of beating somebody on this road trip after all.
Eugenio Suárez launched a three-run homer, and Tyler Stephenson delivered the go-ahead sacrifice fly as Cincinnati defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 Sunday at American Family Field.
The victory snapped Cincinnati’s five-game losing streak and prevented a winless trip through Los Angeles and Milwaukee.
After allowing 33 runs during the first two games of the series—and 47 over their previous three games—the Reds finally received some decent pitching.
Chase Burns allowed only two hits and struck out five over three innings, although both runs against him came when Joey Ortiz launched a two-run homer during the second. Cincinnati limited Burns to 56 pitches as it continued managing the 23-year-old’s workload.
Milwaukee starter Robert Gasser kept the Reds scoreless through five innings before allowing a leadoff single to Elly De La Cruz in the sixth. The Brewers then turned to the bullpen, but Suárez spoiled their best-laid plans. After Antonio Senzatela surrendered a single to Sal Stewart, Suárez crushed a three-run homer, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 Cincinnati lead with one swing.
Jake Bauers answered by leading off the seventh with his 26th homer of the season, tying the game at three.
Cincinnati responded again in the eighth. De La Cruz and Stewart once more began the inning with consecutive singles before Stephenson lifted a sacrifice fly, scoring De La Cruz with the deciding run.
Brandon Williamson earned the victory after allowing one run and two hits across four innings of relief. Brock Burke worked a scoreless eighth before Emilio Pagán allowed one hit and struck out one during a scoreless ninth, earning his 23rd save in 26 opportunities.
De La Cruz and Stewart collected two hits apiece, while Suárez finished with three RBIs. Cincinnati outhit Milwaukee 9-5.
It doesn’t erase the 20-0 embarrassment Friday or the 13-9 loss Saturday. But after beginning the road trip with five consecutive losses, Cincinnati finally found a way to finish a game.
At this point, we’ll take anything we can get.
What’s Next: The Reds return to Great American Ball Park to open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday at 6:40 p.m. ET. Nick Lodolo is scheduled to start for Cincinnati.
