After snapping a four-game losing streak, the Cincinnati Reds will turn to right-hander Carson Spiers against the host Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon in an effort to salvage a split of the four-game series.
Spiers (0-1, 1.50 ERA) will be opposed by rookie right-hander Chad Patrick (0-0, 3.18).
The Reds, who had just two runs in their losing streak, broke out offensively Saturday with four homers, including two-run shots by TJ Friedl and Jose Trevino, en route to an 11-7 victory. Cincinnati led 7-0, but the Brewers cut the gap to 7-5 before the Reds added three runs in the seventh.
“They had good energy tonight,” Reds manager Terry Francona said of the offense. “That’s what you’re looking for. You’re looking for them just to try to pick each other up and not try to do everything yourself. Because that can be kind of the human nature way to do it. I thought they did a good job.”
The Brewers, who had won four straight after opening the season with four losses, have won the past 10 series against Cincinnati.
Patrick will make his third appearance and second start of the season. After pitching an inning of relief in his big league debut, he tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his start Tuesday vs. Kansas City but did not get the decision in a 5-0 Brewers victory.
Patrick was the International League Pitcher of the Year last season at Triple-A Nashville, going 14-1 with a 2.90 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 26 games, including 24 starts. He was just the third pitcher in league history and first since Dennis Martinez with Rochester in 1976 to win the International League Triple Crown (lowest ERA, most wins, most strikeouts).
Milwaukee’s Sal Frelick had four hits in Saturday’s loss to raise his average to .394. Brice Turang (.306) has hit safely in all nine games with a team-best six RBIs. Christian Yelich and William Contreras each had a hit Saturday but are a combined 6-for-59 (.102), with Yelich’s one homer the only extra-base hit.
Brewers starter Elvin Rodriguez and reliever Connor Thomas allowed 11 runs on 14 hits Saturday in a combined 8 1/3 innings.
“That’s key that Connor and Elvin gave us basically eight-plus,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “We don’t like 11 runs and 14 hits, but nonetheless, they kept us fresh for tomorrow.”
The Reds have 25 runs in their past two victories, compared with 12 runs total in their other seven games.
Spiers allowed just run one run on three hits in six innings on Tuesday, but was saddled with the loss in a 1-0 defeat at Texas.
All three of Spiers’ career appearances against Milwaukee were last season, including one start, which he lost. He is 0-1 with an 11.45 ERA vs. the Brewers, allowing 14 earned runs in 11 innings.
Matt McLain was scratched from the lineup Saturday for the second consecutive game with left hamstring tightness, although he did pinch hit Friday.
“We might not play him tomorrow, just to be probably a little bit of like a worry wart,” Francona said.
–Field Level Media
