In Cincinnati, Reds manager David Bell has a tendency to keep team meetings private and often avoids discussing them altogether. This was the case before the Reds’ four-game series against the Brewers on Monday.
Bell downplayed the meeting, stating that it was merely a conversation that took place from time to time. However, the main focus of the discussion was clear: the Reds had a poor record of 3-10 against the Brewers last season, and Milwaukee ended up winning the National League Central division at the expense of Cincinnati. The message was to prevent a repeat of that outcome.
Before the game, Bell expressed the desire to set the tone and make a statement early on. Outfielder Will Benson shared his enthusiasm for playing against the Brewers, fueled by the motivation to overcome their previous struggles. The Reds took action on the field, with Benson hitting a solo home run in the second inning and the team building an 8-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning. Although they faced a challenge in the late innings, the Reds managed to secure a 10-8 victory, thanks in part to two home runs by Elly De La Cruz, including an inside-the-park homer. Ultimately, the important outcome was that the Reds emerged victorious.
Reds manager David Bell expressed his satisfaction with how the team performed, stating that they played their style of baseball, which he considers to be simple yet effective. When asked if the strong performance was intended as a message to the Brewers, Bell emphasized that it was not personal and that the team respects all their opponents, with the Brewers being one of the top teams on that list.
Reliever Fernando Cruz drew motivation from Bell’s conversation and delivered an impressive performance, pitching a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts. Cruz expressed his desire to defeat the Brewers, who posed a challenge to the Reds last year and prevented them from reaching the postseason. Having Bell’s support and confidence behind him in every situation was crucial for Cruz.
The Reds, however, were unable to secure a victory against the Brewers in their second game, losing 9-5. There are still two games remaining in the current series, and the teams have 11 more matchups scheduled throughout the season.
