Brewers end eight-game losing streak with win over Reds
MILWAUKEE -- In a lineup depleted by injuries and trades, steady veteran Adam Lind served as the offensive spark for the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.
Lind drove in three runs, and the Brewers capitalized on two Cincinnati errors to score five runs in the fifth inning in beating the Reds 8-4 to end an eight-game losing streak.
Lind smacked a two-run double in the big fifth and added a run-scoring single in the sixth.
"Adam had a big game today. Especially on a day like today when he's definitely the anchor in that lineup," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said.
The first nine Brewers batters reached base in the fifth, aided by throwing errors from Cincinnati starter Anthony DeSclafani (9-11) and outfielder Ryan LaMarre that allowed two runs to score.
"We needed a win. We had a different group out there because of the injuries and they did a nice job," Counsell said. "They made a mistake that cost them pretty big, and we took advantage of it. We got some breaks today, that's for sure."
Jay Bruce homered twice for the Reds.
Milwaukee starter Ariel Pena (2-0) picked up the win, surrendering two runs and four hits over five innings.
"He's keeping us in ball games," Counsell said.
Bruce hit a leadoff homer in the second. Cincinnati extended its lead to 2-0 in the fourth on Tucker Barnhart's run-scoring single.
The Brewers sent 11 men to the plate during the fifth, collecting seven hits.
DeSclafani and LaMarre made their errors on the same play, with DeSclafani fielding a chopper and whipping his throw to second into center field. That allowed one run to score, and another came home when LaMarre's throw to third skipped into the Reds dugout.
An infield single by pinch-hitter Khris Davis gave the Brewers a 3-2 lead, then Lind added his two-run double.
DeSclafani gave up five runs (four earned) and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Bruce and Eugenio Suarez connected for back-to-back homers to start the sixth off Milwaukee reliever Kyle Lohse.
Lind's run-scoring single in the sixth put the Brewers up 6-4.
The Brewers added a pair of runs in the eighth.
Lind, who rarely speaks to the media, said he didn't expect the Brewers to be battling to stay out of the NL Central cellar when he signed with the team last off season.
"It wasn't what I was hoping for coming over, but you've got to make the best of the situation," he said. "I guess we aren't going to have a hundred losses, so that's kind of a big deal, I guess."
Lind, who has been on the field for most of the season despite dealing with a balky back, said his health is the most crucial factor. "My No. 1 goal at this point in my career is not going on the DL."
Reds: OF Billy Hamilton, who returned to Cincinnati on Thursday to have a MRI on his ailing right shoulder, is expected to join the team in St. Louis on Monday. . . . LaMarre left Sunday's game with a strained right hamstring.
Brewers: 3B Elian Herrera, who was taken off the field on a backboard and stretcher after a collision with teammate Shane Peterson on Saturday, was on crutches Sunday after being diagnosed with a deep thigh bruise. Herrera isn't sure when he'll return to the lineup. "I know a couple of days for sure, because it's really painful right now and I can't really stand," he said. . . . OF Davis, who left Saturday's game with a sprained right ankle, didn't start on Sunday but appeared as a pinch hitter.
Reds: John Lamb (1-3, 5.35) will get the start as Cincinnati opens a three-game series at St. Louis. The rookie notched his first career win against the Cardinals on Sept. 15, pitching five shutout innings.
Brewers: Wily Peralta (5-9, 4.41) will be on the mound as the Brewers take on the Chicago Cubs to begin their final road trip of the season. Peralta is 3-6 with a 3.52 ERA in 10 career starts against the Cubs. Peralta took the loss in a 1-0 game on May 1 in his only other start against the Cubs this season.
