The Brewers and Reds were stuck in a pitcher's duel on Thursday.
After each team scored a lone run the game was tied at 1-1 through 10 innings.
Finally, in the 11th frame, Lorenzo Cain hit the go-ahead home run to put Milwaukee up for good after a motivational speech from the Brewers' third base coach. It was Cain's 10th homer of the season.
LoCain: Powering the Crew past the Reds in extras.#PowerballHRLeaderboard: https://t.co/18mmHrVTdR pic.twitter.com/rgP2m3AKMn
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 30, 2018
The message from Ed Sedar was "unless you do something about it, we're going to play 18 innings." Well, Milwaukee didn't need to do that as it continues its fight in the National League wild-card race.
Lorenzo Cain said it was Ed Sedar who spurred him on to his 11th-inning, game-clinching HR. "Eddie gave me a motivational speech going into it," he said. "‘Unless you do something about it, we’re going to play 18 innings.’ So I took it to heart."
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) August 30, 2018
The Brewers won the series against the Reds two games to one and now move on to face the Nationals on Friday.
Studs of the night
Giancarlo Stanton reached a milestone in record time when he hit his 300th homerun against the Tigers. Only four others reached the 300 mark in fewer career games, including former Yankee Alex Rodriguez. New York eventually lost 8-7 after a three-run rally in the ninth inning by the visitors.
3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ for @Giancarlo818. pic.twitter.com/rapc7rTr21
— MLB (@MLB) August 31, 2018
In 5 1/3 innings of work, Justin Verlander struck out 11 batters. He pitched four shutout innings before the Angels got on the board in the fifth.
11 Ks through 5. 👀 pic.twitter.com/yx7Uw4s7pX
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 31, 2018
Dud of the night
The Athletics and Mariners are facing off in a big series for both teams. They are currently No. 2 and 3, respectively, in the American League wild-card race and ideally have to play mistake free to secure wins. Unfortunately for Oakland, that wasn't the case. A throwing error by third baseman Matt Chapman gave Seattle enough time to bring in two runs, and take an early lead.
Highlight
John Gant was unstoppable for the Cardinals. He finished St. Louis' 5-0 victory over Pittsburg with six strikeouts and a home run.
The bomb came in the third inning and was one of two scored that frame to give the Cardinals a lead they would never relinquish and with the win on the hill, Gant moves to 6-5 on the season with a 3.34 ERA.
John Gant's night: 💣 ➕ 6⃣ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PIpxXEc0rg
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 31, 2018
What's next?
Diamondbacks at Dodgers 10:10 p.m. ET — The Diamondbacks are barely holding on to the top spot of the NL West standings, and their current series against the Dodgers, who are just one game back, can either help or hurt them. With the first of four games starting Thursday in Arizona, the Diamondbacks will have to finish the weekend strong. Zack Greinke (13-8, 2.93 ERA) will start tomorrow for Arizona while Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-1, 2.18), who has been battling a groin injury, will be Los Angeles' starter.