Final
Brewers-Reds Preview
May 8, 2016 - 5:57 AM Milwaukee Brewers infielder Aaron Hill insists he was feeling good about the way he was swinging the bat - even when his average had dropped to .111 last month.Now the veteran is finally getting results as one of the team's hottest hitters.
Coming off a historic performance, Hill will try to keep it going Sunday when Milwaukee looks to earn a split of a four-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds.
Hill had a .164 average with one home run and seven RBIs in his first 21 games before turning it on the past two weeks. He's batting .414 over an eight-game hitting streak after a three-home run, seven-RBI effort in Saturday's 13-7, 10-inning win.
Hill's 10th-inning grand slam put Milwaukee ahead and his seven RBIs tied him with a handful of others for the highest single-game total in franchise history.
''We've been working hard,'' said Hill, who has gone 6 for 13 in this series. "I've been happy with my at-bats even when the results weren't there. Coming off the bench last year, I had to find a way to simplify things.''
After totaling nine runs while going 2 for 24 with runners in scoring position during a three-game slide, the Brewers (12-18) went 5 for 10 in those situations Saturday.
They'll try to continue that against Cincinnati's John Lamb as they look to win back-to-back road games for the first time. The left-hander had a 9.22 ERA in three rehab starts for Triple-A Louisville before holding San Francisco to one run over six innings Tuesday before the bullpen let the Giants go ahead for a 3-1 road victory.
"It was mixed emotions," Lamb told the league's official website. "I know I'd like to... get ahead of hitters and keep the pitch count down a little more than I did."
Lamb allowed eight runs and 14 hits over 11 2/3 innings in two starts versus Milwaukee last season. Ryan Braun is 3 for 5 with a home run and a double off him.
Braun homered and is batting .406 with six RBIs over a seven-game hitting streak.
Junior Guerra also has made it back to the big leagues, getting the call from Triple-A Colorado Springs following the demotion of the struggling Taylor Jungmann.
He was suspended 50 games in 2008 under the Minor League Baseball Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program and pitched anywhere from Venezuela to Italy to Kansas afterward. He made his MLB debut in 2015 with the Chicago White Sox.
Guerra said the only thing he was thinking about was throwing strikes Tuesday when he allowed four runs over six innings in a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
"It's a long road, but I just have to be thankful," he said. "I have to thank God that I'm here. Now I have to get ready for my next start and get ready to do it again."
Since totaling 10 runs and hitting .156 with runners in scoring position over a six-game skid, the Reds (13-18) have averaged 5.9 runs and batted .400 in those spots in the past six.
Brandon Phillips, who homered twice Saturday, is 7 for 16 with five homers and nine RBIs over his last four. Adam Duvall is 7 for 17 with three homers in his past five.
- MILWAUKEE: 5
CINCINNATI: 4
Final
Sep 26 12:01 PM - MILWAUKEE: 5
CINCINNATI: 4
Bot 9, 2 Outs
May 8 6:14 PM - Villar grounded out, shortstop De Jesús Jr. to first baseman Votto, R.Flores scored, Nieuwenhuis to third.
Brewers 3, Reds 4 Top 7, 1 OutMay 8 5:19 PM - Jonathan Villar grounds out to shortstop, Ivan De Jesus to Joey Votto. Kirk Nieuwenhuis to third. Ramon Flores scores.
Brewers 4, Reds 4 Top 7, 1 OutMay 8 5:18 PM - Joey Votto singles to center field. Ivan De Jesus scores.
Brewers 1, Reds 3 Bot 3, 2 OutsMay 8 3:50 PM - Ivan De Jesus doubles to deep right center field. Tyler Holt scores.
Brewers 1, Reds 2 Bot 3, 2 OutsMay 8 3:48 PM - Tyler Holt triples to deep right field. Ramon Cabrera scores.
Brewers 1, Reds 1 Bot 3, 2 OutsMay 8 3:46 PM - Alex Presley flies out to center field to Tyler Holt.
May 8 3:06 PM - MILWAUKEE: 0
CINCINNATI: 0
Final
May 8 3:05 PM
Related News
- Cincinnati Reds sign Brooks Kriske, Hernan Perez to minor league deals Dec 21
- Brewers trade Adrian Houser, Tyrone Taylor to Mets Dec 20
- Brewers sign catcher Eric Haase Dec 20
- San Francisco Giants acquire TJ Hopkins from Cincinnati Reds Dec 19
- The thing is, Jonathan India can really hit when he’s healthy Dec 18
- Milwaukee Brewers Free Agent & Trade Targets: Outfield Dec 18
- Devin Williams named to All-MLB Second Team Dec 16
- Colors to which the Cincinnati Reds could change their name Dec 15
- Brewers acquire reliever Taylor Clarke from Royals Dec 14
- The Cincinnati Reds should sign Marcus Stroman Dec 14
- MVBrewers #1: William Contreras Dec 13
- MVBrewers #2: Christian Yelich Dec 12