Brewers 8, Reds 7
W: Estrada (2-5) L: Cordero (3-2)
Mark Kotsay had his best game as a Brewer by doing his best Ryan Braun impression Friday night. Not only did he hit the go-ahead home-run in the sixth inning, but he rocketed a two-RBI single to win the game.
It is not all good news though as Zack Grienk'e struggles continue. He surrendered four runs, two earned, on six hits in six innings pitched. His ten strikeouts are very encouraging, but unless his ERA comes down it will do the Brewers no good.
The Reds jumped on Grienke early when Joey Votto hit a homer to center field in the first inning. Brandon Phillips doubled the next at-bat and Jay Bruce singled him home to give Cincinnati a two-run lead.
Grienke struggled again in the third inning as he loaded the bases with zero outs. He managed to strike out Phillips and Jay Bruce on his way out of the jam. The next batter, Scott Rolen, hit a grounder to third baseman Mat Gamel who had trouble with the ball. Rolen reached base on the fielding error as Drew Stubbs and Edgar Renteria scored to give the Reds a four-run lead.
In the bottom of the third inning with two outs, All-Star Rickie Weeks hit his first career inside-the-park home run on a shot drilled to right center field. The ball ricocheted off the diagonal wall and bounced past the Red's center fielder. By time he could throw the ball into the in-field, Weeks had already scored.
Milwaukee went on a tear in the fifth inning to score three runs to tie the game. After Grienke singled, Weeks doubled to score him with ease. Nyjer Morgan plated Weeks on a single and then went to second on a poor throw by rookie Zack Cozart. Prince Fielder capped off the scoring with a sacrifice-fly to score Morgan after Corey Hart moved him over to third on a single of his own.
With the game tied, Kotsay led off the sixth inning with a solo blast to center field to give the Brewers the lead. It did not last long as the Reds came storming back in the seventh. With Zack Braddock in relief for Greinke, Cozart led off the inning with a single. Votto doubled on a line drive to Kotsay who had trouble handling the ball as it rolled past him. Cozart scored easily and Votto advanced to third on the fielding error. Votto went home on Phillips sac-fly and Jay Bruce homered to complete the three-run rally.
The stage was set for another epic Brewer's comeback. With former friend turned foe Francisco Cordero in to close the game for Cincinnati, it seemed Milwaukee was doomed. They have struggled against him in the past, but fortunately the Brewers were about to change all of that.
After George Kottaras walked, Nyjer Morgan ripped a triple down the right field line to plate Kottaras. Corey Hart hit a ball right to the Red's shortstop, but Morgan was already on the move on contact. The ball was thrown home where a violent collision between Nyjer and catcher Ryan Hanigan took place. Hanigan's helmet flew off and his head banged off the ground. As the dust settled it was clear that he somehow still held on to the ball. All hope seemed to be lost as the home plate umpire motioned an out had occurred. The crowd fell silent, but fans quickly felt their odds had increased when they watched Prince Fielder walk up to the plate. The fans got loud and crazy as Fielder drew the walk on a full-count. Casey McGehee singled on a soft ground ball to third as he beat it out to load the bases. Carlos Gomez entered the game for Fielder as a pinch runner. Mark Kotsay stepped up to the plate, took a deep breath, and crushed a single to right field to win the game. Miller Park erupted in cheers as the Milwaukee players stormed the field to celebrate with Kotsay.
Mark Kotsay's first walk-off as a Brewer capped an amazing victory over a division rival. Milwaukee aims to make it three in a row Saturday night.
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