Brewers take 4-3 loss in Hall’s return

Hall struck out nine but struggled with command in tight loss

Box Score

The Brewers were unable to secure the series sweep against the Reds on Sunday afternoon in a difficult game for both the offense and starting pitcher DL Hall.

Although the Brewers fell 4-3, it was a mostly promising return for Hall, as far as losses go. While he surrendered three runs in 4 ²⁄₃ innings and three walks, he struck out nine batters. His command can be a recurring issue, but his ability to wipe out hitters is a skill the Brewers can build on as they work toward the postseason.

Notably, Hall’s velocity was up over two miles per hour on three of his four pitches, according to Baseball Savant. Hall has worked into some jams this year, much like he did again on Sunday, but his strikeout potential can help him escape these situations. Still, it felt like there was constant pressure on Hall to weasel his way out of tricky spots.

He allowed two singles in the first inning and walked the leadoff batter in the second. The third inning was nearly a disaster. He allowed a leadoff single to Spencer Steer and followed with a wild pitch. A walk to the next batter would have advanced the runner, anyway. With two outs, a hit by pitch loaded the bases. Santiago Espinal knocked a single to tie the game at 2-2, but the Brewers caught TJ Friedl in a poor baserunning play to end the inning without any further damage.

The Brewers were unable to manage much offense outside of that early two-run lead. Joey Ortiz hit a two-run home run in the second inning, which is certainly a promising sign, but the offense had a quiet day. A 1-for-3 performance with runners in scoring position — and only five hits on the afternoon — did little to stress the Reds defense. As for Ortiz, it’s another sign of his bounce back over the past week. In his last seven games, he is batting .333 with seven RBIs.

One of the most visible signs of frustration about the difficult performance came in the fifth inning when Jackson Chourio struck out swinging. He slammed his bat into the ground, which otherwise would hardly have been notable, but Sal Frelick was attempting to steal second base. Chourio’s frustration led to a batter’s interference, leading to two outs on the play and the end of the inning.

At this point, Hall had surrendered the go-ahead run to Tyler Stephenson on a solo home run, showing just how difficult it was to come by offense. It was a simple one-run deficit, but the Brewers struggled to put together any rallies. Their last offensive breakthrough came in the sixth inning when a walk from Gary Sanchez and a double from William Contreras forced Reds starter Nick Lodolo from the game. Willy Adames pulled an inside fastball to left field to score a run, but the Brewers failed to get runners in scoring position in the final three frames, much to the credit of two double plays from the Reds to end the seventh and eighth innings.

Even in that sixth inning after Adames’ single, Contreras was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice, which seemingly happens regularly on infield-in plays this season for Milwaukee.

The bullpens did their part for their respective teams, though. The Reds shut down the Brewers with 3 ²⁄₃ innings while allowing just two hits.

Of course, the Brewers’ bullpen gave up the eventual game-losing run, but it was hardly a poor showing. Nick Mears had a scoreless appearance and Joe Ross came out of the bullpen to pitch three innings while allowing a sacrifice fly to Steer that set the Brewers behind a run.

It wasn’t a pristine performance, but the team stayed in the game the entire way. A few more hits here or there, or avoiding a double play, could have changed the outcome of the game. While the Brewers were unable to take the series sweep, there’s at least positive momentum with the series win and the return of Hall.

The Brewers begin a highly anticipated matchup against the Dodgers tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. Freddy Peralta is set to face Clayton Kershaw, a fun, compelling matchup between division leaders.