The pitching for both the Reds and Brewers was airtight all afternoon on Sunday until Milwaukee let the wrong guy get on base: Billy Hamilton. The speedster scored from third base on a passed ball in the bottom of the ninth that gave the Reds a 1-0 walk-off victory at Great American Ball Park and two of three games in the series.
A streak of 16 Reds batters in a row were retired until Hamilton walked with two outs in the bottom of the ninth against reliever Tyler Thornburg. Lefty Will Smith took over to face Joey Votto, who went into a 3-0 count before drawing a walk with a full-count to put Hamilton in scoring position. Hamilton stole third base without a throw against Smith as Jay Bruce batted. A 1-0 curveball to Bruce got away from catcher Jonathan Lucroy and Hamilton was able to score with a headfirst slide into the plate as a desperation throw was nowhere close.
“The big part of that of course is it does really put the impetus on their defense to make every single play,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “Even a ball that gets past the catcher a few feet puts us in a situation to win the game. That started with Billy getting on and being able to steal third base as quickly as he did. If he would have waited a couple of pitches, he wouldn’t have had that opportunity.”
Brewers manager Craig Counsell lay equal blame on a Milwaukee offense limited to four hits, including three in seven innings against Reds starter Dan Straily. That offered little solace to Lucroy.
“Our pitchers deserve better than that,” said Lucroy, taking the blame. “That’s Minor League stuff right there.”
Between Zach Davies and Straily, the offenses combined for seven hits and no runs through seven innings. But both pitchers gave way to the bullpen from there. Davies finished with four hits, no walks and five strikeouts while Straily allowed three hits and one walk while striking out four.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
