The Milwaukee Brewers needed a strong road trip just to have a chance to stay in playoff contention. They wrapped up the nine-game trip with a 3-6 record after Thursday’s 5-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. The result eliminated the Brewers from playoff contention, which means they’ll play three meaningless games at Miller Park to close out the season against the Chicago Cubs.
Following a 10-1 victory against San Diego on Aug. 25, the Brewers had a 1 1/2 game lead on the St.Louis Cardinals atop the Central Division and six games over Pittsburgh. Since then, the Brewers went 8-20 to fall out of the playoff picture.
After leading the National League Central for 150 days, the Brewers now have to win one of their three games against the Cubs this weekend to guarantee a winning record.
The Brewers committed three errors that led to a pair of unearned runs for Cincinnati. The sloppy play also led Yovani Gallardo to lose for the eleventh (8-11) time this season, despite a 3.51 ERA.
Brandon Phillips clubbed a two-run homer for the Reds to push their lead to 5-2 at the time. Rickie Weeks homered in the loss for the Brewers.
Jimmy Nelson (2-8, 4.57) pitches the series opener against the Cubs tonight. Eric Jokisch (0-0, 1.74) goes for Chicago.