Reds at Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers have put a season-high, five-game losing streak in the rearview mirror and look to gain a split of the four-game set when they host the Cincinnati Reds for the series finale Sunday afternoon. The Brewers gave up 18 runs while losing the first two games against the Reds before getting a solo homer and a go-ahead RBI double from new leadoff hitter Yasmani Grandal en route to a 6-5 victory Saturday.
Milwaukee managed five hits in the victory, but responded with four runs - two on a throwing error - in the first inning Saturday after Cincinnati posted three in its first at-bat and moved within a half game of first-place Chicago in the National League Central. Brandon Woodruff hopes to avoid losses in two straight games for the first time in his career when he takes the mound for the Brewers on Sunday and opposes fellow right-hander Anthony DeSclafani, who will be going for his third consecutive victory. The Reds saw their season-best, six-game winning streak come to an end despite getting homers from Eugenio Suarez along with red-hot Yasiel Puig and pushing their run total to 44 over the past seven contests. Puig is 6-for-16 with three homers and six RBIs in his last four games while teammate Jesse Winker is 10-for-22 with two homers and seven RBIs over the past seven contests.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (4-3, 4.22 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Brandon Woodruff (8-2, 4.02)
DeSclafani gave up one run each in his last three starts and won the last two while allowing 10 hits over 11 innings combined. The 29-year-old has not given up a home run in three starts this month after serving up 14 longballs in his first 11 outings this year. Christian Yelich is 7-for-15 with two homers versus DeSclafani, who gave up one run on three hits over five innings with eight strikeouts in a no-decision versus Milwaukee on April 2.
Woodruff has gone without a win the last two starts, including Tuesday when he permitted four runs on seven hits over six innings in a loss to the San Diego. The 26-year-old Mississippi State product owns 102 strikeouts across 87 1/3 innings and is 6-0 with a 3.77 ERA in eight home starts. Joey Votto is 2-for-3 with a homer against Woodruff, who was 1-0 with two relief appearances without giving up a run versus Cincinnati last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati INF-OF Derek Dietrich set a major league-record by getting hit by six pitches in one series this weekend.
2. Yelich, who leads the majors with 29 homers, saw his career-best 18-game hitting streak end Saturday after going 0-for-3 with a walk.
3. Votto recorded his 387th double Saturday, moving within two of Dave Concepcion for third on the franchise’s all-time list.