Reds clinch postseason appearance despite loss to Brewers

Field Level Media|published: Sun 28th September, 18:13 2025

Milwaukee Brewers catcher Danny Jansen (33) hits a two-run home run off of Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brady Singer (51) during the fourth inning of their game Sunday, September 28, 2025 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Danny Jansen belted a two-run homer to pace the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-2 comeback victory Sunday over the visiting Cincinnati Reds, who clinched their first postseason appearance since 2020 despite the loss.

Cincinnati (83-79) entered Sunday tied for the final National League wild-card spot with the Mets, who closed out the season at Miami. With a 4-0 Mets loss, the Reds still get the wild-card spot, their first postseason berth since 2020 and their first in a 162-game season since 2013 by virtue of a tiebreaker over the Mets.

Milwaukee (97-65), which has home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with the best overall record in the majors, has a bye into the NLDS, which begins Oct. 4. With the win, the Brewers set a new franchise record for victories in a season.

As the No. 6 seed in the NL, the Reds begin their best-of-three wild-card series at the third-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.

The Brewers scored three runs in the fourth to go in front 4-2. Isaac Collins opened with a ground-rule double. With one out, Jansen lined a 3-2 pitch to left for his 14th homer, putting Milwaukee up 3-2 and chasing starter Brady Singer (14-12). Jackson Chourio singled with one out off Nick Lodolo and stole second. Andrew Vaughn's pinch-hit double scored Chourio.

Elly De La Cruz put the Reds up 1-0, opening the second inning with his 22nd homer off starter Freddy Peralta

TJ Friedl made it 2-0 with a leadoff homer off DL Hall in the third, his 14th.

The Brewers got one back in the bottom half on doubles by Chourio and Brice Turang.

With a first-round bye into the NLDS, the Brewers tweaked their postseason pitching situation.

Peralta, the NL leader with 17 victories, allowed one run in a two-inning tune-up start. Peralta, making his career-high 33rd start, allowed one run on three hits in a 44-pitch outing.

Hall and All-Star closer Trevor Megill, each activated earlier Sunday off the injured list, pitched an inning apiece. Megill (6-3) got the win with one scoreless inning. Abner Uribe, the sixth reliever used, tossed a scoreless ninth for his seventh save in nine opportunities.

--Field Level Media