Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Ryan Hanigan's three-run homer fueled a six-run seventh inning, as the Cincinnati Reds beat Milwaukee, 6-1, to complete a three-game sweep at Great American Ball Park.
Aroldis Chapman Touches 104, Earns First Win As Reds Rally Past Brewers
The win gave first-place Cincinnati an eight-game lead over the free-falling Cardinals in the National League Central standings.
The fateful seventh began on a promising note for Brewers starting pitcher Chris Narveson, who struck out Jonny Gomes. But he was lifted in favor of reliever Todd Coffey (2-3) following a walk to Ramon Hernandez.
Miguel Cairo greeted Coffey with a double that plated pinch-runner Brandon Phillips with the tying run. Paul Janish then reached on an infield single and Hanigan, pinch-hitting for rookie phenom Aroldis Chapman (1-0), followed by giving Cincinnati the lead with a blast to left field.
Mike McClendon replaced the ineffective Coffey and couldn't record an out as well, walking Drew Stubbs and yielding a single to Chris Heisey. Zach Braddock took over on the mound and walked Joey Votto to load the bases for Scott Rolen, who ripped a two-run single to right to put the Reds up 6-1.
Coming off an electric debut on Tuesday, Chapman struck out a pair in a flawless seventh to pick up his first major-league win in relief of Johnny Cueto, who scattered five hits and one run in six innings.
Narveson had allowed two hits, walked two and fanned six through 6 1/3 innings. The left-hander also knocked in Milwaukee’s lone run with a single in the fifth.
The Reds have won four straight games and 14 of their last 18 overall...Milwaukee has dropped 11 of its last 12 games versus Cincinnati.
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