Brewers ride sizzling pitching into series finale vs. Reds

The Milwaukee Brewers hope their strong pitching continues as they vie for a sweep of their three-game series against the host Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night.

The Brewers have limited the Reds in two hits in consecutive games. In addition, Milwaukee's starting pitchers have put together a string of five straight quality starts.

"That's a real young pitching staff doing that, except for Woody," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said, referring to Brandon Woodruff. The latter took a perfect game into the sixth during Monday's 2-1 victory in 10 innings.

Brandon Sproat took a no-hitter into the sixth on Tuesday before Jose Trevino led off the inning with a single.

Sproat finished the sixth and Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe and closer Trevor Megill combined to only allow one hit the rest of the way in a 2-0 win.

Left-hander Shane Drohan (3-2, 3.40 ERA) will try to keep things going for the Brewers on Wednesday night.

Drohan, who will face the Reds for the first time, allowed one run on three hits in five innings in a no-decision against the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Thursday.

The Brewers released infielder Luis Rengifo before the game on Tuesday, a week after designating him for assignment. Milwaukee also recalled shortstop Cooper Pratt from Triple-A Nashville and inserted him into the lineup on Tuesday.

The Reds will look for star shortstop Elly De La Cruz to make an impact on Wednesday.

In his return to the lineup after being on the injured list since June 1, De La Cruz was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts on Tuesday.

Nathaniel Lowe got the only other hit aside from Trevino's single, and Cincinnati also struck out 13 times.

"If we can get a lead, maybe we can stop seeing those same guys," Reds manager Terry Francona said.

Cincinnati starter Nick Lodolo faced the minimum nine batters over the first three innings Tuesday, but was hit in the wrist by Jackson Chaurio's liner,

Lodolo finished the fourth but departed with a left wrist contusion/bone bruise. X-Rays were negative.

Cincinnati will send right-hander Rhett Lowder (3-4, 4.82) to the mound Wednesday.

He took the loss in his last start, a 5-0 decision to the host New York Yankees on Friday.

Lowder gave up four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings with three walks and five strikeouts. He served up home-run balls to Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ben Rice in the second inning.

The long balls were not what he regrets most about the outing.

"Mainly just two walks. Got two strikes early but didn't put ‘em away. And they came back to bite me," Lowder said. "I mean, the homers, yeah, you don't want to give up home runs but it's really just walks you can't do, especially when you get two strikes like that."

He has one career appearance against the Brewers, his major league debut on Aug, 30, 2024.

Lowder allowed one run on two hits with four walks in four innings to take the loss.