Reds skip DeSclafani's start, give ball to Sampson
The first week of September has gone relatively well for both the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.
Now they get a chance to face each other with the Reds attempting to escape last place in the National League Central and the Brewers looking to possibly move closer toward third place in the division.
After getting wins over teams ahead of them in the standings, the Reds and Brewers begin a three-game series Monday night at Great American Ball Park.
The Reds (60-82) have split their first 10 contests of the month and took three of four at Pittsburgh after getting outscored 27-9 during a five-game losing streak. Cincinnati has been in last place every day since May 13 and is 2 1/2 games behind the Brewers.
The Brewers have won seven of their last 10 contests after splitting a weekend series in St. Louis. Thanks to Cincinnati's three wins, Milwaukee is six games behind the Pirates.
The Reds completed their successful weekend with an 8-0 victory when Brandon Finnegan pitched five-plus scoreless innings and worked out of two bases-loaded jams. Tyler Holt also drove in three runs and Brandon Phillips had three hits.
Joey Votto was 0-for-4 but over his last 12 games is batting .378 (17-for-45). Phillips is hitting .374 (46-for-123) in his last 32 contests.
Milwaukee completed its weekend with a 2-1 win at St. Louis on Sunday. Ryan Braun hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning and has 27 this season. He has three home runs this month after reportedly being involved in trade talks when Milwaukee won the waiver claim for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig.
"As I've said many times, I really love Milwaukee," Braun told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel "My family loves Milwaukee. My daughter was born there. My son should be born there in a couple of weeks. We love being involved in the community there. It would be great and very rewarding to see this thing through and be a part of the next winning team in Milwaukee."
Braun has hit five of his home runs against the Reds, who have won seven of the first 13 meetings.
Anthony DeSclafani was originally scheduled to start the series opener but his next start will be Sept. 18 vs. Pittsburgh. Manager Bryan Price said it wasn't physical and the Reds will start Keyvius Sampson.
"It gives (Sampson) a chance to get a little bit of a stretch and give a little bit of blow to Anthony, and he slots right back in for his next start. No red flag, but in the sense of being proactive, it makes more sense to do it right now and let him finish the season strong."
Sampson made 12 starts for the Reds last season but 14 of his 15 appearances have been in the bullpen. He has a 3.90 ERA this season and in his lone start July 23 against Arizona, Sampson allowed one earned run and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.
On Aug. 14 against Milwaukee, he allowed a solo home run to Braun while pitching five relief innings in a 7-3 loss.
"It's a great opportunity," Sampson told MLB.com. "I'm happy to get the chance to start a few games. I'll continue to do what I've been doing, going after guys, attacking the zone and using all of my pitches."
Milwaukee's starting pitchers have a 2.83 ERA in the last 20 games and Wily Peralta opens the series.
Peralta allowed four runs and six hits in 7 2/3 innings in a 12-5 win vs. the Chicago Cubs. He is 2-2 with a 3.35 ERA in his last six starts since returning from nearly two months with Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Peralta is 5-4 with a 3.00 ERA in 12 career starts against Cincinnati. He faced the Reds Aug. 14 at home and allowed one run and four hits in six innings.
