The Cincinnati Reds faced off against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 4, and the game quickly turned into a showcase of defensive mishaps and pitching struggles for the Reds. After a brief stint at designated hitter due to quad tightness, Elly De La Cruz returned to shortstop, but his costly error in the fifth inning proved pivotal in the Reds' 10-7 loss at Great American Ball Park.
Initially, the Reds held a 6-4 lead when De La Cruz mishandled a double-play ball hit by William Contreras. The misplay opened the floodgates for the Brewers, who capitalized on the opportunity. With the bases loaded and no outs, Reds reliever Sam Moll hit Brice Turang with a pitch, allowing a run to score. This was followed by a three-run triple from Cooper Pratt, and a wild pitch allowed Pratt to score, culminating in a disastrous five-run inning for Cincinnati.
The defeat marked the Reds' seventh loss in eight encounters against the Brewers this season and extended their struggles against National League Central opponents to a disappointing 15-29 record. The Brewers have now won nine consecutive series at Great American Ball Park, further asserting their dominance in the rivalry.
De La Cruz's error was not the only defensive blunder of the night. He is now tied for the fifth-most errors in Major League Baseball this season, with 18. Despite his defensive struggles, De La Cruz contributed offensively, going 3-for-5 at the plate. However, the Reds' defense as a whole was lackluster, with right fielder Héctor Rodríguez misplaying two extra-base hits without being charged with errors.
Starting pitcher Rhett Lowder's performance also fell short of expectations, as he allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits over four innings. Lowder, who had previously shown promise with a 4.34 ERA in August, struggled with control, walking four batters, three of whom scored. The Brewers took advantage of his mistakes, including a two-run double from Turang that shifted the momentum in their favor.
Offensively, the Reds had moments of brilliance, including a two-run homer from Matt McLain in the third inning that gave them a brief lead. Eugenio Suárez also made headlines with a three-run homer, following his recent celebration of becoming a U.S. citizen. However, the Reds' offense was stifled after the Brewers' bullpen took over, allowing just one run over four innings.
As the Reds look to bounce back, they will turn to left-hander Andrew Abbott for the second game of the series on September 5. Abbott, who has had a rocky season with a 6-10 record and a 4.49 ERA, is coming off a challenging outing against the Chicago Cubs. He previously faced the Brewers earlier in the season, delivering a solid performance that resulted in a no-decision.
Abbott will be opposed by Milwaukee right-hander Dustin May, who joined the Brewers from St. Louis at the trade deadline. May has been effective against the Reds, showcasing his skills in a previous start against them. The upcoming matchup is critical for the Reds as they aim to regain momentum and improve their standing in the competitive NL Central.
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