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Reuters
The rest of the Milwaukee Brewers' season will likely be defined by their performance after trading All-Star closer Josh Hader.
The Brewers initially responded well. They didn't, and they lost three straight to the Pittsburgh Pirates, but they may look a little brighter heading into Saturday's visit to the Cincinnati Reds.
Milwaukee posted a four-game losing streak as he won 5-1 in Friday night's series opener. It's the first win since sending Hader to his Padres in San Diego on Monday.
"We brought it on ourselves," Brewers first baseman Rowdy Tellez said of the winning streak.
Before Friday's game, Milwaukee president of baseball operations David Stearns traded Hader, one of the team's most popular and successful players.
"Once again, we have taken a very well-known and prominent figure within the organization, someone who has contributed to much of the success we have had here. When I make the move to leave, I can understand why, it's a reaction," Stearns said. “We are also hearing from many fans who believe in our organization, believe in our organization and believe they keep their interest in winning in mind when making decisions like this.
Devin Williams took over the role of the Brewers in the 9th inning, carrying two runners on Friday to beat the final two hitters, his seventh of the season. Got a save.
However, Williams may not be available on Saturday as he has pitched for three consecutive days.
Saturday, the Brewers will face rookie lefty Nick Lodoro.
Rodro (3-3, 4.23 ERA) finished his July in style. He has gone 6 innings in each of his last two starts, allowing a total of 1 earned run.
He walked the leading hitter in his seventh inning before returning to Baltimore Sunday against the Orioles, where he went off with a 2-0 lead, but won the last game. I couldn't.
Inherited runners eventually scored, ultimately giving the Reds his 3-2 win after the Orioles tied the game in his eighth inning.
"I think [Lodoro] was really good," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "We didn't have many chances offensively until he got out of the game. He's got a really good arm and [he's] a good-looking young starter." said the key is to be aggressive in the strike zone.
"Trying to fill the zone," he said. “The biggest thing is getting mine to work in the zone, and then I think it’s probably going to be a good day.”
Reds pick 7th overall in his 2019 draft Rodoro has not played against Milwaukee.
The Brewers will start lefty Aaron Ashby (2-9, 4.13). In his only MLB appearance with the Reds, Ashby scored his two-hit streak in two and his 1/3 shutout innings on May 3 in a 6–3 win. He allowed three strikeouts and recorded his only hold of the season.
In the most recent game, Ashby allowed no earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, but Boston's Red Sox scored on Sunday in a game he won 7-2. He took five earned runs from him.
– Field Level Media
