Lorenzen hits slam as Reds rally

Reds 12, Brewers 3

CINCINNATI — When Milwaukee pitchers went over the strengths and weaknesses of Cincinnati’s hitters to prepare for their series, they included reliever Michael Lorenzen in the mix.

They need to do more studying.

Lorenzen hit the second grand slam by a Reds pitcher in a week — and his third homer in his last three at-bats — as Cincinnati pulled away to a 12-3 victory Saturday, ending a seven-game losing streak against Milwaukee.

Lorenzen’s pinch-hit grand slam off Jacob Barnes in the seventh inning completed an eight-run rally, Cincinnati’s biggest of the season. Lorenzen’s fifth career homer drew a curtain call from the crowd of 24,640.

“It was a surreal feeling, for sure,” Lorenzen said. “I love this game and everything about it.”

It was the reliever’s second homer in the series. He also had a Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen is congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam in the seventh inning. He has three home runs in his past three at-bats. solo shot Friday during Milwaukee’s 8-2 win. For the season, Lorenzen is 4 for 6 with three homers and six RBI.

“The guy’s swinging the bat really well, that’s for sure,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “We treat him as a position player. We covered him in scouting meetings. We’re going to have to make some adjustments.”

One week earlier, Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani hit a grand slam off Cubs left-hander Brian Duensing at Great American Ball Park.

Lorenzen avoided the temptation to swing at a slider, and then hit a fastball deep to left field.

“The Reds have always put together some good-hitting pitchers, going back to Travis Wood and those guys,” Brewers catcher Erik Kratz said. “You have to know who those guys are and where they want the ball and not throw it there.”

Tyler Mahle struck out a career-high 12

batters in 5 innings, three shy of the Reds’ rookie record. David Hernandez (3-0) pitched the top of the seventh.

The Reds fanned 18 batters, a club record for a nine-inning game.

The Brewers’ depleted bullpen couldn’t hold a one-run lead in the seventh. Cincinnati’s first eight batters reached safely against three relievers, with left-hander Mike Zagurski (0-1) taking the loss in his first major-league appearance since 2013.