Austin Hays gives the Reds the victory over the Brewers and stops their winning streak
A single by Austin Hays with the bases loaded in the tenth inning gave the Cincinnati Reds a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, ending the Brewers’ 14-game winning streak, the longest in franchise history.
Milwaukee, which had barely managed the previous two victories in Cincinnati, had achieved its longest streak in a season, and the most extensive in the Major Leagues since the St. Louis Cardinals won 17 consecutive games from September 11 to 28, 2021.
On this occasion, a sacrifice bunt by Spencer Steer in the tenth inning advanced designated runner TJ Friedl to third base. After intentional walks were issued to Elly De La Cruz and Will Benson to load the bases, Hays singled down the third base line, achieving the second walk-off hit of his career.
Milwaukee, which overcame a seven-run deficit on Friday, rallied to win in 14 innings on Saturday and had eight comeback wins during the 14-game stretch, nearly repeating it again.
William Contreras hit his 13th home run of the season, a two-run shot against Reds closer Emilio Pagán, to put Milwaukee ahead 2-1 in the ninth inning. However, the Reds tied it when Benson reached base due to a fielding error by shortstop Joey Ortiz and then scored on a single by Jose Treviño.
The Brewers, who are in first place, fell to 53-17 in their last 70 games. The loss represented only their 14th blown save this season, the third fewest in MLB, according to data.
The game was scoreless for six innings, with Reds’ lefty Andrew Abbott and Brewers’ lefty Jose Quintana allowing a combined six hits with 11 strikeouts.
Cincinnati scored the first run of the game when Hays led off the seventh inning with a double and scored on Trevino’s sacrifice fly to center field.
Graham Ashcraft (7-4) earned the win for Cincinnati. Grant Anderson (2-4) took the loss.
At a key moment in the top of the tenth inning, designated runner Andrew Vaughn was put out at third base while trying to advance on a bunt by Blake Perkins.
The Reds are the only team that has not been swept in a series this season. Their 40 series without being swept are the most in franchise history, surpassing the 1970 team which had 32 consecutive series. It’s the seventh time the Reds have won the last game of a series to avoid being swept.
Next Monday, Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta (14-5, 2.90) will start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Right-hander Brady Singer (10-9, 4.31) will start on Monday for the Reds against the Angels in Anaheim.
