Brewers Sweep Reds with 8-1 Win

Until about 90 minutes before game time on Sunday, Reds lefty Matt Maloney was preparing himself to start on Monday vs. the Astros.

Then scheduled starter Dontrelle Willis was scratched because of back spasms. And instead of drawing a 100-loss, last-place club laden with rookie hitters like Houston's Jimmy Paredes or Jose Altuve, Maloney faced first-place Milwaukee with superstar sluggers like Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun.

Not for long, however. Maloney was out of the game within two innings as the Reds were roughed up again in an 8-1 loss to the Brewers for a three-game sweep. It was the first time Milwaukee earned a sweep in Cincinnati since 2003.

"It's just a little unexpected," Maloney said of being pressed into service a day early. "I don't blame any of the outing on that. I felt great. My bullpen was good before the game. My stuff was good. I just got my butt kicked, plain and simple."

During a five-hit first inning, Maloney was trailing 4-0 after four batters, having allowed four hits and two home runs.

For the second straight day against the same first eight of the Reds lineup, Milwaukee held Cincinnati to two hits and one run.

It completed a rough weekend for a Cincinnati club that was outscored by a 24-5 margin in the three games. Reds pitchers combined to give up 10 home runs in the series, and hitters struck out 33 times with just one homer.

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