Reds blank Brewers for second shutout in a row
CINCINNATI -- Scott Schebler hit a two-run single in the first inning, and four Cincinnati Reds pitchers combined for a 3-0 shutout of the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a three-game series Monday night at Great American Ball Park.
Brewers right-hander Wily Peralta (6-10) allowed three runs over six innings. Blake Wood (6-3) earned the win for Cincinnati after throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Keyvius Sampson.
After allowing Schebler's hit and Tyler Holt's RBI single in the first inning, Peralta retired the next 15 batters he faced. However, the Brewers couldn't rally against Cincinnati pitching.
Reds right fielder Steve Selsky, who entered the game in a double switch in the fifth, threw out Jonathan Villar trying to score from second on a single to end the seventh inning.
Raisel Iglesias recorded his third save with two scoreless innings. He allowed no hits and struck out three.
It was the second consecutive shutout for the Reds, the first time they accomplished the feat since blanking the St. Louis Cardinals on July 28-29, 2015.
Sampson made his second career start for Cincinnati and allowed four hits and no runs over 4 2/3 innings.
Sampson was moved into the rotation with Homer Bailey still nursing a sore shoulder and Alfredo Simon expected to undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday.
Brewers shortstop Villar had a rough first inning. The Reds loaded the bases with two outs after a pair of hard grounders popped out of his glove. Both were ruled hits. Schebler and Holt followed with RBI singles to put the Reds ahead 3-0.
Sampson pitched out of a jam in the third when a hit batter, walk and infield single loaded the bases, getting Hernan Perez to fly out easily to right.
He wouldn't get the chance to escape a bases-loaded situation in the fifth.
Sampson was replaced by Wood, who recorded the final out to preserve the three-run lead. That left Sampson one out shy of a victory.
NOTES:, Cincinnati recalled from Double-A Pensacola RHP Abel De Los Santos, selected the contract of RHP Matt Magill from Triple-A Louisville, and placed RHP Alfredo Simon on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to Sept. 6. Simon will undergo right shoulder surgery Tuesday. ... Reds CF Billy Hamilton missed his ninth straight game with a strained left oblique. He remains day-to-day. ... Brewers RHP Michael Blazek, who was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list on Sept. 3 but has yet to pitch, threw a simulated game Monday. He is expected to throw again Thursday in Chicago.