Mon Apr 21 13:20:44 2008

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Reds rally off ineffective Gagne to edge Brewers in 10

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Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Ken Griffey Jr. ripped a run-scoring single to cap a three-run 10th inning as Cincinnati roared back to edge Milwaukee, 4-3, and avoid a sweep in the finale of a three-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Leading 3-1 after scratching out a pair of runs in the top of the 10th, the Brewers couldn't hold on as closer Eric Gagne (1-1) imploded in the home half. Edwin Encarnacion and Paul Bako greeted the struggling closer with consecutive homers to even things at three. After Scott Hatteberg worked a walk, Milwaukee manager Ned Yost had seen enough of Gagne and called on Salomon Torres.

Torres managed to get Corey Patterson swinging but Brandon Phillips followed with an infield single before Griffey lined the game-winner over Corey Hart's head in right.

Encarnacion had two homers for the Reds, who won for just the second time in nine games.

Aaron Harang started on the hill and was spectacular for Cincinnati, surrendering a run on four hits while fanning eight in eight innings. Jared Burton (1-1) got the win despite allowing two unearned runs in the 10th.

J.J. Hardy homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Brewers, who lost for the first time in four games.

Second-year pitcher Yovani Gallardo made his first start of the 2008 season for Milwaukee. The right-hander, who was on the shelf with a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, allowed just one run on four hits in seven innings.

The Brewers jumped on top when Hardy led off the fourth with his first homer of the year.

Encarnacion evened things in the fifth when he blasted a one-out, solo shot, his third of the year.

With the game knotted at one, Gabe Gross started things for the Brewers in the 10th by working a one-out walk off Burton and quickly moved to second when pinch hitter Craig Counsell sliced a single to center. Jason Kendall followed by grounding a tailor-made double play ball to Encarnacion but the third baseman flubbed it, loading the bases.

Burton then uncorked a wild pitch, giving Milwaukee a 2-1 lead. After Rickie Weeks fanned, Hardy ripped an RBI single off the glove of Encarnacion, giving the Brewers a 3-1 lead.

Game Notes

Before the game, the Reds placed pitcher David Weathers on the 15-day disabled list with ulnar nerve irritation in his right elbow. The 38-year-old Weathers was injured during Saturday's 5-3, 10-inning loss to the Milwaukee Brewers... The Reds took two of three against the Brewers from April 8-10 in Milwaukee.