Grandal helps lead big rally

MILWAUKEE — Yasmani Grandal homered during a big rally, then started a bizarre double play on a pitch that got past him and bounced to the backstop, helping the Brewers outlast the Reds 11-9 on Wednesday.

Trailing 6-1 in the third inning, Grandal hit a tworun homer as the Brewers scored five times in the sixth for an 11-8 lead.

The Reds scored once in the seventh and had the bases loaded with one out. Reliever Jeremy Jeffress struck out Phillip Ervin swinging, but the ball zipped past Grandal. Fortunately for the Brewers catcher, the ball caromed off the back wall and right back to him.

Grandal threw down to first when Curt Casali strayed off the bag, assuming the runners would advance. But Derek Dietrich stayed at third, seeing the ball ricochet to Grandal, and Casali was tagged out after an extended rundown.

What had been set up as a pitching duel between the Brewers’ Zach Davies and Luis Castillo turned into a wild affair. They entered with the secondlowest (Davies, 1.54) and third-lowest (Castillo, 1.90) ERAs in the National League.

It turned out to be the shortest outing of the season for both, as Davies gave up six runs in three innings and Castillo allowed four in2 2⁄3.

In all, both teams used six pitchers. Josh Hader finished it, earning his 12th save in 12 chances.

The Brewers played their second straight game without Christian Yelich. The 2018 NL MVP was out with back spasms, and it isn’t known yet when he’ll return.

MORRY GASH/AP The Brewers’ Yasmani Grandal is hugged by Orlando Arcia after a sixth-inning homer.