Reds control NL wild card destiny after win over Brewers: Highlights

Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Danny Jansen (33) tags out Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) on a play at home plate during the second inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Reds held off the Milwaukee Brewers for a 7-4 win on Saturday night at American Family Field and now control their own destiny heading into the season's 162th game on Sunday.

The Reds scored six runs in the top of the third with some help from Milwaukee defensive miscues. While the Brewers loaded the bases to bring the go-ahead run to the plate in the sixth inning, Cincinnati escaped the jam and kept Milwaukee off the board the rest of the way.

Fighting for the National League's final wild card berth, the Reds (83-78) have the same record as the New York Mets, but own the head-to-head tiebreaker and will reach the playoffs if teams finish even.

The Mets won on Saturday in Miami to stay alive into the final day but need a win Sunday and a Reds loss to get into the postseason.

Andrew Abbott got the win for the Reds, pitching into the sixth inning in the final start of his All-Star season.

Here's how Saturday's game unfolded:

Brewers miss huge opportunity

Jackson Chourio led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to make it 7-3 and pinch-hitter Jake Bauers notched an RBI single to get the Brewers within three runs. Milwaukee loaded the bases with two outs, but Graham Ashcroft got Joey Ortiz to ground out and end the threat.

Reds lead 7-4 heading into the seventh inning.

Sal Stewart home run makes it 7-2 Reds

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Reds first baseman Sal Stewart hit an opposite-field solo home run off Grant Anderson to extend Cincinnati's lead.

Brewers pull two runs back

After giving up a six-spot in the top of the third, the Brewers pulled two runs back in the bottom of the frame with Christian Yelich's RBI groundout and Brice Turang's RBI double.

Cincinnati leads 6-2 entering the fourth inning.

Reds take 6-0 lead in the third

Noelvi Marte reached on an error to lead off the top of the third and Miguel Andujar followed with a double that got past the dive of left fielder Isaac Collins. With runners on second and third, Sal Stewart laced an RBI single to center field to put the Reds up 1-0.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Ke'Bryan Hayes brought in a second run with a dribbler up the third-base line. The Reds made it 3-0 one batter later with Matt McLean drawing an RBI walk against Misiorowski.

TJ Friedl followed with a two-run single that scored a third run on MIlwaukee's second error of the inning. Cincinnati leads 6-0 heading into the bottom of the third.

Reds vs. Brewers underway in Milwaukee

The Reds and Brewers traded zeroes in the first inning, with Milwaukee starter Robert Gasser working out of trouble after a Cincinnati walk and single in the opening frame.

Mets win means Reds can't clinch Saturday

The New York Mets defeated the Miami Marlins 5-1 on Saturday afternoon, giving the Mets a temporary half-game lead over the Reds for the final NL wild-card spot. Cincinnati controls its own destiny and will be able to clinch a playoff berth on Sunday, owning the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Mets.

Reds lineup today