By STEVE MEGARGEE, AP Sports Writer
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Santiago Espinal had two RBIs and scored the game-winning run in the seventh inning as the Cincinnati Reds beat Milwaukee 4-3 on Sunday, ending the Brewers’ five-game winning streak that leads the NL Central.
The Reds avoided a sweep and beat the Brewers for just 13 times in their last 47 meetings. The Brewers won two of three games against the Reds this weekend, earning their ninth consecutive series win against them.
“We all know that,” said Cincinnati’s Tyler Stephenson, who hit his 15th home run of the season. “I think we’ve played really competitive games against each other, especially last night’s game (a 1-0 Brewers win). It’s always great when you can come out of here with a win.”
Joey Ortiz hit a two-run home run for Milwaukee.
The Reds broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning against Joe Ross (2-6). After Espinal hit a leadoff single and advanced to second base when Jonathan India grounded out, Ross intentionally walked Elly De La Cruz and inadvertently walked Tyler Stephenson to load the bases. Espinal scored on Spencer Steers’ sacrifice fly to the warning track in left field.
The Brewers hit inning-ending double plays in the seventh and eighth innings before Alexis Díaz retired the team in the ninth inning, earning his 23rd save in 25 opportunities.
Milwaukee’s William Contreras was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi after driving a ground ball into a double play in the eighth inning.
DL Hall pitched for the Brewers for the first time since April 20 after spending nearly four months on the injured list. Hall injured his knee catching a bunt in April and had some setbacks that delayed his return.
“I’m just super grateful to be back,” Hall said. “After everything that happened in rehab, it never seemed to happen this year. I think just the thought of feeling that feeling I had today again just kept me going. I was just so ready to be back and I’m just glad I did it.”
Hall had nine strikeouts and went 4 2/3 innings in his sixth career start, but was unable to defend an early 2-0 lead. Ortiz had given Milwaukee the lead with his two-run homer against Nick Lodolo in the second inning.
Cincinnati tied the game in the fourth inning. After Steer singled, Stuart Fairchild walked and TJ Friedl was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Espinal smacked home two runs with a two-out single to shallow center.
Stephenson gave the Reds a two-out lead in the fifth inning when he hit a 2-2 fastball over the right outfield wall.
The Brewers tied the game in the sixth inning. Gary Sánchez walked and got to third base on a Contreras double before the Reds took Lodolo out of the game. Willy Adames then greeted Buck Farmer (2-0) with a bloop hit to left that brought Sánchez home.
The Brewers had runners on third and second base and one out, but were unable to take the lead thanks to the Reds’ solid defense.
Espinal went to right to catch Blake Perkins’ bouncer to second base before throwing out Contreras at the plate. Ortiz ended the inning by getting a groundout after a nice play by third baseman Noelvi Marté.
“The defense gave us the win in some ways,” said Reds manager David Bell.
TRAINING ROOM
The Brewers placed LHP Hoby Milner on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Friday, with a left shoulder injury. Additionally, the Brewers placed RHP Enoli Paredes on the 60-day injured list.
Next
Reds: Return home for a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Reds LHP Andrew Abbott (9-9, 3.70 ERA) will face Cardinals RHP Sonny Gray (11-6, 3.65).
Brewers: Start a four-game home series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brewers RHP Freddy Peralta (7-6, 4.02) faces Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (0-2, 4.38) on Monday.
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