Cincinnati Reds Drop Game 2 of Doubleheader with Brewers, 7-3

W: Ariel Pena (1-0)

L: Keyvius Sampson (2-3)

The Cincinnati Reds made it two losses in one day, dropping the second game of a doubleheader with the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-3.

Keyvius Sampson gave up three runs (all in the third inning) on five hits, walking three and striking out three in three innings of work before a one-hour, 33-minute rain delay knocked him from the game.

He turned the ball over to Pedro Villarreal, who again came up big in long relief by tossing three innings of one-run, three-hit baseball. Villarreal also helped his own cause by hitting a two-run double in the fourth inning to bring the Reds within one run at 3-2. It was his second career hit and first two runs batted in.

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Villarreal gave up his lone run in the sixth on a solo home run by Shane Peterson before turning the reigns over to Carlos Contreras. In his first appearance since earning a September call-up, Contreras threw two perfect innings, striking out one.

But the game would get away from the Reds in the ninth inning when Jumbo Diaz was given the ball. Diaz gave up singles to Khris Davis and Scooter Gennett before Elian Herrera cleared the bases for a three-run home run, his second long ball in as many games on the day.

Adam Duvall got the start in left field, his first time cracking the starting lineup since his promotion to Cincinnati, and bashed a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth. Duvall also drew a pair of walks and scored twice.

The loss drops the Reds below the Miami Marlins in terms of winning percentage, meaning they now have the third-worst record in baseball. The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are now the only two teams currently standing between the Reds and the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2016.

Other Notes:

  • Duvall has now homered in two of his first six plate appearances with the Reds. It might not be a bad idea for Bryan Price to get him more at-bats moving forward, but we’ll see if that actually happens.
  • Joey Votto went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Stunningly, he did not draw a single walk.
  • Aside from Duvall, starting catcher Brayan Pena was the only Red to reach base more than once, going 2-for-4 with a double.

Up Next: The Reds will try to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Brewers on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. ET. Michael Lorenzen will make his second start since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville. Jimmy Nelson will start for the Brewers.

Next: Reds blow 5-1 lead in loss to Brewers

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