Colin Rea and the Milwaukee Brewers blank the Cleveland Guardians 2-0, marking the Brewers’ fifth consecutive victory and matching their longest winning streak of the season.
Bollywood Fever: Colin Rea and two relievers combined on a two-hit shutout as the Milwaukee Brewers secured a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, extending their winning streak to five games.
The NL Central-leading Brewers (72-52) are now 20 games above .500, a season-best, following a successful 7-3 homestand that included a series split with the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and a sweep of the AL Central-leading Guardians.
Rea (11-4) was dominant on the mound, holding the Guardians hitless for the first 5 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old right-hander struck out five, allowed just two hits, and issued no walks over seven innings.
His performance drew high praise from Brewers manager Pat Murphy, who called Rea “an incredible anchor” for the team.
“He gives you it every time out. What you see is what you get,” Murphy said. “He’s the consummate teammate. I can’t say enough about him.”
Rea credited catcher Eric Haase, who was making just his 10th start behind the plate this season, for calling an effective game. Rea relied heavily on his four- and two-seam fastballs, while mixing in a changeup when needed.
Rea exited after hitting Jhonkensy Noel with a pitch to start the eighth inning. Bryan Hudson came in from the bullpen and retired the next three batters in order.
With usual closer Devin Williams unavailable after pitching three of the last four days, Jared Koenig stepped in and retired the side in the ninth to earn his first career save.
Milwaukee’s offense did just enough to secure the win. In the first inning, Brice Turang led off with a triple and scored on a two-out single by Willy Adames.
The Brewers added another run in the second inning when Sal Frelick scored on a groundout by Haase after advancing to third on a hit-and-run single by Joey Ortiz.
Cleveland’s Ben Lively (10-8) settled in after allowing runs in the first two innings, holding the Brewers scoreless for the remainder of his six-inning outing. Lively struck out five, allowed five hits, and walked two.
Despite the Guardians putting the potential tying run on base in the sixth inning after singles by Steven Kwan and Will Brennan, Rea escaped the jam by retiring José RamÃrez on a pop fly.
“It’s a frustrating series,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “That’s a really good team over there, and they showed why. They can pitch.”
HONORING ROBIN YOUNT
Before the game, the Brewers honored Hall of Famer Robin Yount to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his major league debut.
Yount, who spent his entire career with the Brewers and is regarded as the best player in franchise history, received a standing ovation before throwing out the first pitch.
During a pregame media session with former Brewers owner and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, Yount expressed his gratitude for his career in Milwaukee. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world, to have been drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers,” Yount said. “I love Milwaukee. I love Wisconsin. It’s just worked out great for me.”
UP NEXT
Guardians: Off Monday before starting a three-game road series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. The scheduled starting pitchers are LHP Matthew Boyd (0-0, 1.69 ERA) for the Guardians and RHP Luis Gil (12-6, 3.25 ERA) for the Yankees.
Brewers: Off Monday before starting a three-game series at St. Louis on Tuesday. RHP Frankie Montas (5-8, 4.86 ERA) will start for the Brewers, while RHP Erick Fedde (8-6, 3.40 ERA) is slated to pitch for the Cardinals.
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