Mike Fiers – UPI/Bill Greenblatt
The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds tied a major league record Tuesday at Miller Park, combining to hit three grand slams in one game. The one problem: the Reds hit two of them.
Cincinnati (7-7) finished with five home runs in a 16-10 defeat of the Brewers (2-12), marking their seventh consecutive loss.
Mike Fiers (0-3) took the loss after allowing grand slams in back-to-back innings, though the first was aided by a Jason Rogers throwing error at third base. Fiers finished with four earned runs on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
AUDIO: Mike Fiers says he needs to execute better pitches in run scoring situations :22
Milwaukee’s bullpen didn’t fair much better, as Tyler Thornburg served up two long balls in surrendering four earned runs in two innings. Neal Cotts struggled in the seventh, retiring just one batter while giving up three runs, including a solo home run to Zack Cozart.
The Reds shortstop has three homers in the series, which has seen the visitors tally 22 runs and seven shots over the wall in two games.
Milwaukee’s offense, which had scored ten runs combined in the six consecutive losses leading up to Tuesday, came alive for twelve hits and two home runs.
Martin Maldonado answered the first Reds grand slam with a two run homer, part of a four run bottom of the third to tie the game. Elian Herrera smashed Milwaukee’s one grand slam in the five-run sixth. He finished 2-for-5 with five RBI and three runs scored.
AUDIO: Ron Roenicke says it’s good to see the Brewers bats come alive :20
Game three of the four-game series is Wednesday at Miller Park. Jimmy Nelson (1-1) squares off with Johnny Cueto (0-2). First pitch at 7:10pm.