Cincinnati @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2018 ) Cincinnati 9, Milwaukee 7

Scooter Gennett helped deal his former teammates a discouraging setback and looks to follow up his strong performance when the Cincinnati Reds visit the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of their three-game series. Gennett hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the ninth inning on Tuesday as the Reds handed Milwaukee a 9-7 loss.

The Brewers had a chance to move within two games of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central, but that prospect evaporated after Gennett's homer and Mason Williams' run-scoring triple in the ninth. Gennett went 2-for-5 with three RBIs on Tuesday to end his season-long struggles against Milwaukee as the All-Star second baseman was just 4-for-30 entering the game. Phillip Ervin recorded two hits and an RBI for the Reds on Tuesday and is 7-for-17 with two homers and three RBIs during his five-game hitting streak. Milwaukee All-Star first baseman Jesus Aguilar has been red-hot, going 2-for-5 with an RBI and run scored on Tuesday to improve to 12-for-28 with one homer, seven RBIs, seven runs scored and five walks over his last eight contests.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Robert Stephenson (0-1, 7.94 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Freddy Peralta (5-4, 4.48)

Stephenson has lasted a total of 5 2/3 innings in two starts since his recall and has struggled with his control by issuing nine walks. The 25-year-old walked five in four frames while losing to the New York Mets on Aug. 8 and then permitted four in only 1 2/3 innings against Cleveland. Stephenson is 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA in four career appearances (one start) versus the Brewers.

Peralta has dropped back-to-back starts, giving up 10 runs, 10 hits and eight walks in nine innings. The 22-year-old rookie lost to the Reds on July 1, when he yielded three runs and five hits over five frames. Peralta is 3-1 with a 3.60 ERA in four home starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers 3B Travis Shaw belted his 26th homer on Tuesday and is five shy of matching the career high he set last season.

2. Cincinnati OF Scott Schebler (shoulder) is wrapping up a rehab assignment with Double-A Pensacola and is slated to return to the Reds on Thursday for the opener of a four-game set against the Cubs.

3. Milwaukee's Zach Davies (shoulder) is slated to make a rehab start for Double-A Biloxi on Wednesday, while fellow RHP Joakim Soria (groin) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday and is expected back by the weekend.

PREDICTION: Brewers 10, Reds 6