Brewers at Reds game postponed because of rain
CINCINNATI (AP) Rain keeps falling on the Reds.
Storms moved into the Cincinnati area shortly before the start of their scheduled game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night, prompting the third postponement this season at Great American Ball Park.
''I've been here six years,'' manager Bryan Price said. ''I've never seen anything like this.''
The game was rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday, with the makeup game at 6:10 p.m. It's Milwaukee's final visit to Cincinnati, where the Brewers have won their last four games. They lead the season series 7-6.
Matt Garza (6-14), who was scheduled to start on Friday for Milwaukee, will face rookie left-hander John Lamb (0-3) in the afternoon game. Lamb was scheduled to start Saturday's game.
Wily Peralta (5-8) goes against rookie Keyvius Sampson (2-2) in the second game. Sampson had been scheduled to start Friday for Cincinnati.
The rain cleared enough for the Reds to shoot off fireworks on Grateful Dead Night at Great American, but more rain was headed in.
There's nothing at stake for either team. Milwaukee is fourth in the NL Central at 58-75, trailing first-place St. Louis by 28 games. The Reds are last at 55-77, trailing by 30 1/2 games.
It was the 15th rain delay at Great American this season totaling 21 hours, 46 minutes. Including road games, the Reds have been involved in 21 weather delays lasting a combined 27:45.
By contrast, it was only Milwaukee's third rain delay of the season.
Cincinnati has lost 15 of its last 18 games. The Reds haven't won consecutive games since Aug. 12-13.
The lone bright spot for the Reds lately has been Joey Votto, who has a six-game hitting streak (11 for 20 with three homers). Since the All-Star break, Votto is leading the majors in on-base percentage (.576) and walks (59). His .399 batting average over that span leads the NL.
''In a good way, it's sickening,'' third baseman Todd Frazier said. ''He's putting up numbers we haven't seen before. Those are Little League numbers, stuff I was doing when I was 12. It's fun to watch. You wish we weren't seeing the season come to an end.''
The Brewers entered the series on an upbeat stretch, having won four straight games and five of their last six. The offense has come around, scoring at least four runs in each of those last six games and 39 overall. Jonathan Lucroy has led the way with a career-high 11-game hitting streak that includes three homers.
NEWEST BREWER
RHP Ariel Pena was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs to help the Milwaukee bullpen. He had been starting in the minors for the past month, but will likely stay in the bullpen.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Brewers: RHP Tyler Cravy threw in the bullpen without problem. Cravy, who's been on the DL since Aug. 19 with an impingement in his right elbow, could be activated next week.
Reds: CF Billy Hamilton took batting practice for the first time since he sprained his right shoulder on Aug. 18 while trying to make a diving catch. He can be activated off the DL at any time. ... LHP Manny Parra was activated after recovering from a sore left shoulder. RHP Dylan Axelrod was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville.
UP NEXT
Brewers: Peralta makes his second straight start against the Reds, whom he beat 4-1 on Sunday in Milwaukee, allowing one run in seven innings.
Reds: Sampson has struggled in his last three starts, going no more than four innings. He's given up 15 runs and 25 hits in only 11 innings over that span.
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