3 key things from the Reds' comeback win over Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – It was certainly common knowledge inside the Reds' clubhouse that the Brewers have had their number not only in 2024 but for about three seasons now.

So to pull off a come-from-behind one-run victory like Cincinnati did for Sunday's 4-3 win to claim a game in the three-game series at American Family Field, it was not taken for granted.

“Absolutely, we’re all aware of it," catcher Tyler Stephenson said. "I feel like we played really competitive games against them, especially with the game (a 1-0 loss) last night. Any time you can walk out of here with a win, it’s huge.”

It was a 3-3 game with one out in the top of the seventh inning and the bases loaded when Spencer Steer's sacrifice fly scored Santiago Espinal.

The Reds (57-61) are 3-6 vs. the first-place Brewers this season and 12-29 since the start of the 2022 season. They are 10 1/2 games behind the Brewers and 4 1/2 back of the last NL Wild Card spot.

“It’s definitely been tough," said starting pitcher Nick Lodolo, who worked 5 1/3 innings for a no-decision. "You know they’re a good team. They play us well every time. Even yesterday we played a great game, but … it was a good win today and take it home and follow it with hopefully another series win."

It was a game that could have easily gone against the Reds after Milwaukee took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on Joey Ortiz's two-run home run against Lodolo.

"There were some really good things that happened that led to the win," Reds manager David Bell said. "We did what we needed to do to win a close game."

Here are three more things from the game.

Espinal comes up big, offensively and defensively

A role player who got the start at second base, Espinal came through on both sides of the ball. First, his two-out, two-run single to center field against DL Hall scored Steer and Stuart Fairchild to make it a 2-2 game in the fourth inning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lodolo issued a four-pitch walk with one out to Gary Sánchez before William Contreras hit a double. Reliever Buck Farmer took over and gave up an RBI single to Willy Adames as Milwaukee applied more pressure.

Runners were on second and third when the Reds brought their infield in. Blake Perkins hit a grounder up the middle. Espinal moved to his right behind the mound and was still moving as he made a perfect throw to the plate to prevent Contreras from scoring.

"Espy cutting the runner down at home, that’s huge," Lodolo said. "He doesn’t do that, we’re probably still playing. He’s been really good defensively wherever we put him."

Stephenson continues surge with a home run

The top three in the Reds’ lineup – Jonathan India, Elly De La Cruz and Stephenson – were 0-for-12 with nine strikeouts in Saturday's loss. That included three strikeouts for Stephenson, who has been the Reds’ hottest hitter.

Stephenson was back in business on Sunday with two hits. With two outs and a 2-2 count in the top of the fifth against Hall, he gave the Reds their first lead of the series with a solo homer to right field.

"I’m just trying to stay aggressive and get good pitches to hit," Stephenson said. "Especially with the heater out over [the plate], I was able to take it the other way for the home run.”

Over his last 12 games, Stephenson is batting .333 (14-for-42) with four homers and 10 RBIs.

On Wednesday at Miami, Bell moved Stephenson up to the third spot in the order. He hit two doubles in that game and added a hit and two RBIs on Thursday before getting a day off on Friday.

“He feels good and he’s a good hitter. He’s getting better," Bell said. "He’s catching really well too, which is very important to him and our team. All around, playing well.”

Bullpen steps up

The Reds are now 10-21 in one-run games this season, but held on to win Sunday because of the bullpen. After Farmer escaped the sixth inning without more damage, Sam Moll gave up only an infield single in the seventh and avoided harm with a Jackson Chourio double play to end the inning.

Emilio Pagán, in his first game since June 8 after an injured list stint for a right lat strain, issued a one-out walk but got out of it with Contreras grounding to shortstop for another inning-ending double play.

Alexis Díaz, who has had a rocky season, looked dominant during a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts.