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Hamilton's speed leads Reds over Brewers

Apr 23, 2015 - 5:02 AM Milwaukee, WI (SportsNetwork.com) - Johnny Cueto and Jimmy Nelson each went eight innings, but it was Francisco Rodriguez's miscue in the ninth that cost Milwaukee in the Cincinnati Reds' 2-1 win over the Brewers on Wednesday.

With two outs and Billy Hamilton on third base, Rodriguez (0-2) uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Hamilton to score his second run of the game, despite nearly running into the home plate umpire.

"I tried my best not to run over somebody, or hurt him or hurt myself," Hamilton said.

Cueto (1-2) allowed just one run on five hits and two walks in eight innings with eight strikeouts, and Aroldis Chapman earned his fourth save.

Nelson came away with nothing to show for his outing after allowing just one run on three hits and two walks in eight innings with five punchouts.

After scoring 16 runs in Tuesday's slugfest, it did not take long for the Reds to get on the board Wednesday. Hamilton stole second after a leadoff single and scored on Joey Votto's single for a quick 1-0 lead.

The Brewers, who have lost eight straight, tied the game when Elian Herrera walked with one out in the first, advanced to second on a balk and scored on Adam Lind's two-out single.

Each starter settled in after that. Nelson did not allow another runner to reach scoring position and never pitched with more than one on base.

Cueto equaled Nelson pitch for pitch despite issuing a second balk in the second inning. After Gerardo Parra's one-out single, Cueto retired nine in a row before Martin Maldonado's base hit in the fifth.

Logan Schafer pinch hit for Nelson to lead off the eighth, and doubled to left field. Jean Segura bunted him over to third base, but Cueto beared down and got out of the jam. Herrera struck out, and after Ryan Braun walked to keep the inning alive, Lind struck out to end the inning.

It looked like Cincinnati would not be able to plate a run under similar circumstances in the ninth when Todd Frazier popped out with one out and runners at the corners. Brandon Phillips was at the plate when Hamilton scored on the wild pitch, then flew out to end the inning.

The tying run could not reach base against Chapman in the home ninth. Khris Davis struck out, Aramis Ramirez flew out and Jason Rogers struck out looking to end the game.

"We have to fight through it," Rodriguez said. "We have to compete every single day."

Game Notes

Cincinnati is 17-for-17 in stolen base attempts ... Nelson ended a streak of nine Milwaukee starts without a quality start ... Cueto has pitched seven or more innings in all four of his starts this season ... Cueto is the first pitcher to balk twice in a game since Miami's Chris Hatcher on May 23, 2014 ... The Reds will go for the four-game sweep on Thursday afternoon behind Homer Bailey against Milwaukee's Kyle Lohse.