Brewers’ starter Chris Capuano allowed a solo homer in the 3rd; Reds’ starter Aaron Harang then got taken downtown by Brewers’ third-baseman Ryan Braun on a solo shot in the 4th.
Both starters took the 1-1 lead into the ninth.
Harang pitched the top of the 9th and kept the Brewers off the board; Derrick Turnbow came in for the Crew in the bottom of the 9th and held the Reds in check (see box for Cappy’s line).
Harang pitched a frikkin’ scoreless 10th for the Reds! This is probably only the 2nd or maybe the 3rd time this season that a starter went 10 innings. Yost opted for Matt Wise, who kept the Reds at bay in the 10th, as well as for two outs in the 11th; the Reds went with former Brewer David Weathers in the 10th and then lefty and Social Security recipient Mike Stanton for one out in the 12th, before going with Jared Burton for the remaining two outs.
Then Yost went with Grant Balfour in the 12th.
Recall me saying that Mike Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinal wrote that Balfour’s slot on the 25-man appears safe when Bill Hall returns, as he is out of minor-league options. Doug Melvin is rethinking that.
Balfour started out by walking first-baseman Jeff Conine. Balfour then walked shortstop Pedro Feliz. Catcher David Ross attempts a sacrifice bunt, only to wind up at first, as Balfour went to third to try to get pinch-runner Norris Hopper. Pinch-hitter Javier Valentin then took the first pitch to right, plating Hopper.
The Crew only lost a ½ game, as the Cubs’ had off Monday; the Crew now has two games in hand on the Cubs.
Safe to say, if Bill Hall is activated Wednesday, Grant Balfour will either be dealt or put on waivers to go to Nashville.
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