Cincinnati (AP) The Cincinnati Reds defeated Milwaukee 3-2 on Sunday, ending the Brewers’ 14-game winning streak with a single with the bases loaded in the tenth inning.
It was the longest stretch in the majors since the St. Louis Cardinals won 17 consecutive from September 11 to September 28, 2021, and Milwaukee had barely survived the previous two games in Cincinnati.
This time, designated runner TJ Friedl moved up to third place thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Spencer Steer in the tenth. Hays singled down the third-base line for his second career walk-off hit after Will Benson and Elly De La Cruz intentionally walked to load the bases.
Milwaukee almost came back for another victory on Saturday after rallying from a seven-run hole on Friday to win in 14 innings.
Milwaukee took a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning after William Contreras launched his 13th home run of the season, a two-run blast off Reds closer Emilio Pagan. However, the Reds tied the game when Jose Trevino singled and Benson reached on a fielding error by shortstop Joey Ortiz.
After 70 games, the Brewers, who were in first place, dropped to 53-17.
With Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott and Brewers left-hander Jose Quintana giving up a combined six hits and eleven strikeouts, the game was scoreless after six innings.
Hays doubled to start the seventh inning and scored on Trevino’s sacrifice fly to the wall in center to give Cincinnati the first run of the game.
Cincinnati’s victory was earned by Graham Ashcraft (7-4). Grant Anderson suffered the defeat (2-4).
Attempting to advance on Blake Perkins’ bunt in the top of the tenth inning, designated runner Andrew Vaughn was thrown out at third base.
The only team yet to have been swept in a series this season is the Reds. Their 40 series without a sweep surpasses the 1970 team’s 32 consecutive series, making it the longest in franchise history. The Reds have won the last game of a series to avoid being swept seven times.
Freddy Peralta, a right-hander for the Brewers (14-5, 2.90), will start on Monday at Wrigley Field against the Cubs. The Reds will start RHP Brady Singer (10-9, 4.31) against the Angels in Anaheim on Monday.
