Sproat, Bauers and Vaughn power Brewers to a 2-0 win over the Reds

The Brewers spoiled the return of Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who went 0 for 3 and struck out twice in his first game since May 31 after landing on the injured list with a strained hamstring for the first time in his career.

Sproat (2-4) did not allow a baserunner until hitting JJ Bleday with a two-out pitch in the fourth. The only hit the right-hander surrendered was a leadoff single to Joey Ortiz to open the sixth. Edwin Arroyo reached on a fielder’s choice, but was thrown out on a steal attempt. Blake Dunn struck out to keep it 1-0 after Bauers' triple drove in the first run in the top of the inning.

Sproat, who made his big league debut in September in a 3-2 loss in Cincinnati while pitching for the Mets, threw 80 pitches and did not walk a batter.

Reds starter Nick Lodolo threw four scoreless innings before leaving with a left wrist contusion. Jackson Chourio reached on an infield single that struck the lefty's pitching hand to start the fourth. Lodolo stayed in the game and worked out of a bases-loaded jam before being replaced by Julian Garcia.

Garcia (0-1) got five outs in his major league debut but was charged with the loss. The 31-year-old is the third-oldest Reds player to make his debut since 1957. Garcia was replaced by Caleb Ferguson after issuing a two-out walk to Vaughn, who scored on Bauers' triple.

Chase Petty allowed a run-scoring sacrifice fly by Vaughn in the eighth in two innings of work

The Reds (37-41) have managed just two hits for a second straight day after Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff took a perfect game into the sixth inning in the series opener.

De La Cruz returned on the third anniversary of hitting for the cycle as a rookie — the Reds' first in 34 years.

Up next

Brewers LHP Shane Drohan (3-2, 3.40 ERA) starts Wednesday opposite Reds RHP Rhett Lowder (3-4, 4.82).

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