The Milwaukee Brewers got a badly needed victory Wednesday afternoon but it came with a price.
The Brewers salvaged the final game of the series against the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 at Miller Park. Starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin exited after three innings with what was described as an oblique strain, an injury similar to Brandon Woodruff who got hurt last week and is expected to miss up to six weeks. Chacin was injured during an at bat in the bottom of the third inning. He grimaced after the ground out and didn’t return after giving up four runs. He is 0-12 since his last winning performance in April and could now be headed to the injured list.
Ryan Braun answered the Reds’ two run first with a game tying two run homer in the bottom half. Milwaukee finally pushed in front with a three run, fifth inning. Keston Hiura extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a solo blast and Yasmani Grandal delivered a go ahead, two run single.
The bullpen held strong with Matt Albers getting the win in relief. Josh Hader pitched two scoreless innings with five strikeouts and Freddy Peralta came on to record his first career save retiring Cincinnati in order in the ninth.
The Brewers (54-50), remain two games behinid the Chicago Cubs and a game and a half behind St. Louis in the NL Central. After an off day Thursday, Milwaukee welcomes the Cubs for a big weekend series at home.