MILWAUKEE -- Reds starter Sal Romano appeared locked in and in complete control against the Brewers on Tuesday. Then the sixth inning happened. The deciding blow was Eric Thames' two-run home run in a 2-0 loss as 3-14 Cincinnati sustained the ninth loss in its last 10 games.
Both teams were scoreless entering the bottom of the sixth when Lorenzo Cain opened with a leadoff walk against Romano, then moved to second on an errant pickoff throw. The first pitch to Thames -- a 94-mph fastball up and over the plate -- was clobbered into the second deck in right field.