Monday night started on a high note for the Brewers with back-to-back home runs, but defensive miscues ultimately led to a 5-4 loss against the Reds.
Caleb Durbin got things going early, launching a fastball over the left-center fence on just the second pitch of the game for his second home run of the spring. Moments later, Vinny Capra followed suit, sending another fastball out to the same spot for his fourth homer, giving the Brewers an early 2-0 lead.
With a cushion to work with, Aaron Ashby took the mound and navigated a scoreless first inning despite allowing two baserunners on a hit-by-pitch and a walk. However, his outing was cut short in the second due to an oblique strain. While the team doesn’t expect a prolonged absence, further tests on Tuesday will provide more clarity. K.C. Hunt relieved Ashby and walked two batters (one charged to Ashby) but managed to escape without allowing a run.
The Brewers extended their lead in the third, again sparked by Durbin and Capra. Durbin singled with one out, followed by a Capra walk. Both then executed a double steal, putting runners on second and third. Manuel Margot grounded out to short, but it was enough to bring Durbin home, making it 3-0.
Elvin Rodriguez took over in the third and worked around a pair of singles to keep the Reds off the board. However, trouble arose in the fourth. Christian Encarnacion-Strand doubled, and Jake Fraley walked before Stuart Fairchild’s RBI single put Cincinnati on the board. Ryan Middendorf entered the game, but a comebacker off his foot led to a rushed throw and an error, allowing another run to score and cutting the Brewers’ lead to 3-2.
Both teams exchanged runs in the sixth. Wes Clarke drew a one-out walk, and Oliver Dunn doubled to set up runners on second and third. Eric Haase then reached on an error, scoring Clarke to make it 4-2. The Reds responded in the bottom half when Jose Trevino singled, and his pinch-runner, Carlos Jorge, advanced on a balk before scoring on a Rece Hinds single, bringing the game to 4-3.
In the seventh, the Reds capitalized on errors and aggressive baserunning to take the lead. With a runner on third and two outs, a throwing error by third baseman Zavier Warren allowed the tying run to score. Moments later, Cincinnati pulled off a double steal, with Austin Callahan stealing home to give the Reds a 5-4 lead. Despite not recording a hit in the inning, the Reds used five stolen bases and an error to score twice.
Durbin and Capra led the Brewers’ offense, each collecting two hits, including a home run. Capra also drew a walk, continuing his impressive spring with a .412 batting average. Dunn added a pair of hits as well, maintaining a strong .381 average.
The Brewers have an off day Tuesday before returning to action Wednesday in a split-squad matchup against the White Sox. The road game is set for 2:05 p.m., while the home game, which will have an audio feed, begins at 2:10 p.m.