The Reds got the kind of jolt that can change a dugout’s mood in a hurry, but it came with a frightening cost.
In the bottom of the fourth inning of the series opener against the Brewers, Dane Myers tracked down a ball near the wall in Milwaukee and turned in one of the plays of the year. He also slammed into the wall hard enough that it looked like he may have done serious damage to his shoulder.
Right after the catch, Myers was met by the medical cart and left the game. From every angle, it was the kind of moment that makes everyone in the ballpark hold their breath.
Terry Francona replaced Myers in center field with TJ Friedl, who had recently been recalled during the Pirates series.
At the time this was being written, the Reds were still hanging on to a 3-0 lead, and Myers’ effort had at least given them a spark. For a team trying to keep its season alive, that kind of all-out play matters.
The Reds came into the series needing a statement against Milwaukee. The Brewers have won 15 of the last 17 series between the teams, which has made this matchup feel like a mountain Cincinnati has not climbed very often.
There was also a little help on the schedule side for the Reds. Milwaukee had leaned heavily on its bullpen over the weekend against the Chicago Cubs, using all three of its top relief weapons multiple times and leaving that group a bit worn down by the time Cincinnati arrived.
Whether the Reds can actually turn this into a season-saving run is another question. But Myers gave them something they can point to: a fearless play, a hard hit, and a reminder that somebody in that clubhouse is still fighting like it matters.
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