Christian Yelich and Blake Perkins each helped to bring in three runs, supporting Joe Ross and the Milwaukee Brewers in their 9-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday evening.
Perkins and Sal Frelick both managed to secure three hits each out of Milwaukee’s 13 hits. Jake Bauers contributed with two RBIs.
Ross (1-0) secured his first win in the big leagues since June 29, 2021, playing for Washington against Tampa Bay. The 30-year-old right-hander allowed three runs, two of which were earned, and gave up five hits in 6 1/3 innings in his second start of the season.
“The standout of the game was Joe Ross,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy remarked. “He resembled the Joe Ross of the past. And a lot of credit goes to catcher William Conteras because he analyzed Joe’s performance tonight and just went along with him. Joe was struggling with the count against everyone and getting away with a few things, and William sort of pieced it together.”
Ross underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June 2022. He signed a $1.75 million, one-year contract with the Brewers in December.
Tyler Stephenson contributed with two hits and two RBIs for Cincinnati, which defeated Milwaukee 10-8 on Monday night in the series opener. Spencer Steer, Jake Fraley, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand also managed to secure two hits each. Reds starter Frankie Montas (2-1) pitched for five innings, allowing three earned runs and six hits.
“Frankie didn’t have the best command, but you have to give the Brewers credit. They made him throw strikes,” remarked Reds manager David Bell. “They don’t chase a lot.”
Yelich delivered an RBI single in Milwaukee’s three-run third inning. He also hit a two-run double in the fifth. Perkins’ two-run single put the Brewers ahead in the third. He then singled in Frelick in the sixth, extending Milwaukee’s lead to 6-1.
“I’m pleased I could contribute,” remarked 23-year-old Frelick, who made his major league debut last season. “I noticed that Montas has been pitching well. We’ve been playing good ball, offensively just working counts, getting good pitches to hit, taking advantage of our baserunning, and just keeping the line moving and fighting.”
Cincinnati narrowed the gap to 9-3 with Stephenson’s two-run double in the seventh. Steer doubled in Fraley during a two-run eighth.
In the ninth inning, the Reds managed to put two runners on base, but Abner Uribe struck out Will Benson, Encarnacion-Strand, and Jeimer Candelario to close out the game.
