Reds-Brewers Preview
Poised to keep their frustration in check, the Cincinnati Reds rallied to end their lengthy slide and deliver something positive to build on.
Following their first victory in almost two weeks, the Reds can claim their initial winning road series of the season Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
In a game that featured six hit batters and the ejection of Cincinnati starter Alfredo Simon, the Reds (16-33) overcame a 6-1 deficit to snap an 11-game losing streak with Saturday's 7-6 victory. Cincinnati scored five runs in the seventh inning and went ahead in the ninth after an inning-ending double play was overturned by a review.
"It takes a weight off your back, it's fun when you can do that," outfielder Adam Duvall told MLB's official website. "Hopefully we can keep things rolling."
Though both clubs said nobody was intentionally thrown at, it would be easy for Cincinnati to unravel considering its current state. However, the Reds maintain they haven't become consumed by losing.
"The record doesn't show how much effort and hard work we put in and how we pick each other up," said outfielder Tyler Holt, who had two hits with a RBI. "With that being said, it's day to day, and we know we have to get better as a team and some things will happen for the good."
Duvall has seven RBIs while homering in two straight games, and four in his last six. He's gone deep in three straight against the Brewers, and has 11 RBIs over his last six in the series.
Though Brandon Finnegan (1-3, 3.97 ERA) hasn't won since April 16, he gave up a run in eight innings of a 1-0 loss against Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. The Reds have scored three runs in the last three with the left-hander on the mound.
Despite the defeat, Reds manager Bryan Price knows Finnegan's effort was progress made.
"We talk about how we're building our team, Price said. "The first thing we've got to do is get the building blocks here."
Finnegan allowed five runs - three earned - with four coming off home runs by Ryan Braun, Jonathan Lucroy and Aaron Hill over five-plus innings of a 13-7, 10-inning home loss to Milwaukee (22-27) on May 7.
Hill, who homered twice in Friday's 9-5 win, is 7 for 10 in three games. He's 12 for 23 with five home runs and 11 of his 20 RBIs in six against the Reds this season.
Lucroy has a homer with three RBIs in each of the first two of the set, and should be behind the plate to catch Jimmy Nelson (4-3, 2.92).
The right-hander has been brilliant while posting a 1.27 ERA in his last three starts, but is 0-1 while receiving two runs of support in those contests. He gave up a run and struck out eight in six innings of Tuesday's 2-1 win at Atlanta.
"I've always taken pride in battling and giving us a chance to win no matter how good or bad I feel," Nelson said.
Though the outcome was positive for Milwaukee, Nelson didn't really do so opposite Finnegan on May 7. He allowed six runs and eight hits over five innings of that contest.
Jay Bruce, who had two hits Saturday, is 7 for 17 against Nelson.