Brewers score go-ahead run on double play in 10th, beat Reds 5-4 in doubleheader opener
By GARY SCHATZ Associated Press
CINCINNATI (AP) — Automatic runner Eric Haase scored on a double play in the 10th inning, and Devin Williams made it stand up as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday.
Pinch-hitter Brice Turang had a bunt single that moved Haase to third against Alexis Diaz (1-5), who then induced the go-ahead double-play grounder from Sal Frelick. The Reds closer had blown saves in each of his previous two appearances.
Williams retired the side in the bottom of the 10th for his seventh save in eight chances.
"I was always going to use Devin if we took the lead," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. "He's the one guy who can get a punch (strikeout) and maybe not give up a run. That's why I chose Turang to bunt for a hit. He was safe but even if he wasn't, we're going to get one run maybe. That's not the way you do it on the road. Usually, you play for two. ... It doesn't always work."
Ty France fouled off four two-strike pitches with the winning run on first with two outs. He flied out to short right field to end the game.
"I've had success against the Reds. Let's leave it at that," Williams said. "He definitely didn't make it easy. He put up a good fight but I came out on top."
The Brewers improved to 6-5 in extra-inning games. The Reds dropped to 3-4.
Trevor Megill (1-3) pitched a scoreless ninth.
Cincinnati scored in the first inning against Colin Rea, who came into the game with a 5-0 record against the Reds. Elly De La Cruz scored on a fielder's choice by TJ Friedl, who had the game-winning hit on Thursday. The close play allowed Friedl to extend his streak to 910 at-bats without hitting into a double play.
Willy Adames homered off Nick Martinez leading off the second inning for the Brewers. It was his 25th of the season. William Contreras hit his 19th home run in the fourth.
Santiago Espinal hit his ninth home run of the season for the Reds in the bottom of the second. Jonathan India hit his 13th home run in the fifth.
Rea pitched four innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits.
"He did the job to keep it close," Murphy said. "He didn't have his best stuff. The bullpen did what they had to do."
Martinez, working on three days' rest, pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk.
"That's a good team over there. We think we're a good team, too," Reds manager David Bell said. "We want to win every game we can. We came up short today but we have another one in a few hours."
Jackson Chourio twisted his right ankle trying to beat out a grounder to shortstop in the fifth inning but stayed in the game.
"I wasn't holding my breath," Murphy said. "I was trying to be undaunted but I felt some daunt. The swelling is going to come, right now. He's not going to start the second game."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Brewers: LHP Wade Miley began throwing. He is seeing Dr. Timothy Kremchek in Cincinnati to asses his progress.
Reds: RHP Hunter Greene has reduced pain from the contusion on his right elbow and began throwing.
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