BASEBALL: Garrett Mitchell's 4-hit effort powers Brewers past Reds

Garrett Mitchell went 4-for-4 and delivered a decisive seventh-inning RBI triple as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 on Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

The Brewers secured their third straight win to open the four-game series, while the Reds dropped their fourth consecutive game.

Mitchell broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning with a two-out triple into the left-center field gap, driving in Andrew Vaughn, who had doubled earlier in the frame. Mitchell then came home on a wild pitch from Brock Burke (3-4) to extend Milwaukee’s lead to 4-2.

Milwaukee reliever Aaron Ashby (12-1) added to his Major League-leading win total with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Closer Trevor Megill worked around a ninth-inning double to earn his 12th save.

Starter Shane Drohan allowed two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings for Milwaukee, striking out seven while walking one. He retired 11 consecutive batters between the second and fifth innings.

For Cincinnati, Andrew Abbott gave up two runs on five hits across five innings, issuing five walks and striking out three.

The Reds briefly took control in the second inning when Noelvi Marte hit a two-run home run, his fifth of the season, sending a line drive just inside the left-field foul pole to tie the game at 2-2.

Milwaukee struck first in the opening inning on a run-scoring groundout by William Contreras and a sacrifice fly from Jake Bauers.

A key defensive highlight came in the third inning when Cincinnati first baseman Spencer Speer made a glove flip at home plate to retire Mitchell on a safety squeeze attempt by Cooper Pratt. Milwaukee challenged the call, but the ruling stood.

Cincinnati shortstop Elly De La Cruz also helped keep the game close with a diving stop on a ground ball from Contreras in the second inning, preventing additional runs after loading the bases. Abbott then escaped the jam by striking out Jake Bauers to end the inning. -Field Level Media/Reuters