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Brewers 1, Reds 0: Starting second half of season just as they ended first half

todd rosiak, milwaukee journal sentinel
·3 min read

CINCINNATI - The Milwaukee Brewers opened the second half of the season Friday night the same way they closed out the first half with a 1-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Except this one came at Great American Ball Park, and it pulled the Brewers (50-42) even with the Reds (50-42) atop the National League Central Division standings.

Corbin Burnes was the star in this one, striking out a season-high 13 in six innings while Milwaukee's staff as a whole registered a season-high 18 and limited Cincinnati's high-powered offense to two hits.

Victor Caratini drove in the game's lone run with a single in the seventh, and Devin Williams notched his 21st save.

The consecutive 1-0 victories marked a first in franchise history.

Brewers catcher Victor Caratin and shortstop Willy Adames check on starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, who was feeling the affects of the heat and humidity in Cincinnati during the fifth inning.
Brewers catcher Victor Caratin and shortstop Willy Adames check on starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, who was feeling the affects of the heat and humidity in Cincinnati during the fifth inning.

Scary moment for Corbin Burnes

The right-hander reached double digits in strikeouts for the first time since last Sept. 8 when he fanned TJ Friedl for No. 10 on the night, giving him two outs in the fifth inning.

Then, one strike into the next at-bat, Burnes moved to the back of the mound and squatted down, with the hot, humid conditions seemingly having gotten to him.

The Brewers medical staff rushed out to the mound, as did Milwaukee's infielders. Burnes was given a bottle of water and a cold towel and after a break of several minutes threw a few warmup pitches and then remained in the game.

He eventually got Matt McLain to pop out, then came back out for the sixth and struck out the side -- including phenom Elly De La Cruz for the third time -- to complete his night at 102 pitches.

As it turned out, Burnes experienced a bout of dizziness not related to the heat or lack of hydration.

Quiet night for the offense

The Brewers had very little going against Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft until the seventh, when Willy Adames led off with a double and Owen Miller singled and stole second.

Ashcraft was pulled for Lucas Sims, who was greeted by an RBI single from Caratini to give Milwaukee a 1-0 lead.

But Andruw Monasterio and Brice Turang struck out and after a Jesse Winker walk loaded the bases, Joey Wiemer popped out.

The Brewers missed out on taking the lead in the third inning when, with two outs, Wiemer was thrown out at home by Spencer Steer on a single to left by William Contreras.

Afterward, manager Craig Counsell was somewhat critical of the offense's lack of production.

Tyrone Taylor is back from the injured list

Outfielder Tyrone Taylor was reinstated from the injured list prior to the game. He went on the IL on June 3 with right elbow discomfort.

"Tyrone swung the bat really well in his rehab this week," said Counsell. "I don't think you'll see Tyrone in there every day but we're going to get him in there a little bit here and there and see how it goes."

First baseman Rowdy Tellez, meanwhile, is a little ways off from returning from his stint on the IL. He's been out since July 5 with right forearm soreness.

"He started baseball activities today," Counsell said. "As long as he has three good days of baseball activity we'll target Tuesday (in Philadelphia) for activation."

Also, Brian Anderson was a late scratch from Milwaukee's lineup Friday with low back discomfort. He was replaced at third base by Monasterio.

Brewers starting lineup vs. Reds

  • Christian Yelich, left field

  • William Contreras, designated hitter

  • Willy Adames, shortstop

  • Owen Miller, first base

  • Victor Caratini, catcher

  • Andruw Monasterio, third base

  • Brice Turang, second base

  • Tyrone Taylor, right field

  • Joey Wiemer, center field

  • Corbin Burnes, pitcher

Coming up

Saturday – Brewers at Reds, 6:10 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Freddy Peralta vs. Cincinnati LHP Andrew Abbott. TV: Bally Sports Wisconsin. Radio: AM-620.

Who's hurt?: Milwaukee Brewers players injury updates for the 2023 season

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers 1, Reds 0: Starting second half just as first half ended