Brayan Pena’s pinch hit two run homer in the 8th inning broke a 3-3 tie and led the Cincinnati Reds to an 8-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ballpark.
It’s the second straight loss for the Brewers, whose 20-9 record is still the best in baseball.
Carlos Gomez clubbed a two-out, two-run double in the seventh inning off of Homer Bailey to draw the Brewers and Reds even at 3. But Pena answered with his pinch hit homer in the 8th to give the Reds the lead for good. Pena’s blast to right came off of Brewers reliever Jim Henderson, who took the loss.
It was a bad night for Brewers pitching, which surrendered eight walks and hit a batter. Marco Estrada didn’t have his best stuff but kept the Brewers in the game and ended with his fifth straight quality start.
Carlos Gomez was robbed of an extra base hit in the first inning with center fielder Billy Hamilton making a diving catch. Gomez turned around and returned the favor by robbing Joey Votto of a home run to center field.
Game two of the series is tonight. Wily Peralta (3-1, 2.56) pitches for the Brewers. Mike Leake (2-2, 3.82) pitches for Cincinnati.