Reds Face Heartbreaking Defeat in Thrilling Game
The frustration on David Bell’s face Saturday night spoke volumes after his team suffered a narrow 5-4 defeat against the Brewers at Great American Ball Park, marking their third consecutive loss.
The Brewers demonstrated the qualities that have propelled them to 80 wins, solidifying their push towards their third NL Central title in four years.
Blake Perkins made a stellar play in center field, robbing Noelvi Marte of a potential home run in the sixth inning when the game was tied at 4-4.
Rookie Jackson Chourio, returning after a brief absence due to an ankle injury, delivered a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning. And in a dramatic finish, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, closer Devin Williams found himself in a tight spot, only to be bailed out by Jake Bauers’ diving grab on Ty France’s hard-hit grounder, sealing the Brewers’ ninth victory in 12 games against the Reds this season.
For the Reds, the game was marred by missed opportunities and errors. Elly De La Cruz committed his MLB-leading 27th error of the season on a routine grounder, while Marte was unable to score from third on a double play.
Bell discussed the crucial moment when Marte didn’t score. “As a runner at third, you have to make a quick decision. If the ball is hit softly, especially to the third baseman, you should hold back because they might not be able to turn the double play. But if it’s hit hard, you need to go.”
When asked about the Reds’ defensive struggles compared to the Brewers, Bell acknowledged the challenge. “They made a great play to end the game, and we’ll talk about it tomorrow. It’s a fair question, but not for right now.”
The Reds had one last chance in the ninth, showing resilience with two outs against Williams. After Tyler Stephenson and De La Cruz walked, and TJ Friedl was hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded, setting the stage for Bauers’ game-ending defensive heroics.
Bell praised the Brewers’ performance, saying, “They’re a strong team. They made the plays and had the swings when it mattered.”
The crowd, which stayed for a post-game concert by Shaquille O’Neal, was treated to a tense and exciting ninth inning.
Justin Wilson (1-4) was charged with the loss after surrendering the decisive homer to Chourio, while Aaron Ashby (1-2) earned the win with two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth.
Willy Adames initially put the Reds in a 3-0 hole with his third home run in three games, a three-run shot off Buck Farmer in the third inning.
Despite the setback, the Reds rallied from the early deficit, tagging their former teammate, Frankie Montas, for four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings. Spencer Steer drove in two runs with a single in the fifth, and Amed Rosario tied the game with a towering 420-foot, two-run homer in the sixth.
The Reds’ pitchers shined with their strikeout ability, as opener Fernando Cruz navigated early trouble with five strikeouts in two innings. Cruz, along with Farmer, David Buchanan (making his Reds debut), and Tony Santillan, combined to strike out 14 Milwaukee batters, limiting the Brewers to just 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
