CINCINNATI -- During the first inning on Friday, the Reds paid tribute to their former All-Star outfielder, Jesse Winker, with a video montage that thanked him for his time with the club from 2017-21. Winker, a visiting player for the first time at Great American Ball Park, waved in appreciation.

Meanwhile, in front of a record crowd, one of the prospects acquired for Winker turned in a strong performance. Left-hander Brandon Williamson pitched a career-high 6 2/3 innings but didn't get much offensive support during a no-decision before the Reds were handed a 5-4 loss in 11 innings.

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"He did really, really well," said Reds second baseman Jonathan India, who hit a two-run home run in the third inning off Corbin Burnes. "Willie threw strikes and got himself out of some jams. He was a true professional today. It was awesome to see.”

The crowd of 44,073 was the largest ever for a regular-season game at GABP.

Winker and Eugenio Suárez were among the first dominoes to fall when the Reds began a widespread roster purge and rebuilding process in March 2022. They were traded to the Mariners for Williamson, outfielder Jake Fraley, pitcher Justin Dunn and starting pitcher prospect Connor Phillips.

Williamson, who is ranked as Cincinnati's No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline, needed only 90 pitches as he reached the seventh inning for the first time in the big leagues. He allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

"I was pretty happy with being able to get to the seventh, landing all my pitches, getting ahead of guys," Williamson said. "Just giving the team a chance."

Manager David Bell is usually averse to having starters face a lineup three times, but Williamson was so efficient that he was given that chance. He showed he could handle the longer outing, retiring 10 of his last 12 batters.

"He did a really great job and gave us a shot to win," Bell said. "He got deep into the game, which was important to our bullpen."

Williamson was effective using a five-pitch mix and got 11 whiffs from 40 swings. His only mistake was a first-pitch cutter over the middle of the plate to Joey Wiemer, who hit a two-out, two-run homer to left field in the second.

"Curveball started coming on the more the game went on. Changeup for sure has been a weapon," Williamson said. "I really felt probably the best I have in a long time with my fastball tonight, actually. I think we picked our times to use it really well. We just attacked all night."

A throwing error by shortstop Matt McLain led to an unearned tying run for Milwaukee in the top of the fourth inning. The Brewers had a chance to add on, but Williamson stranded runners on second and third base by striking out Mike Brosseau with a slider. 

"Even one more run scores there, we're not going to extras and [it's a] different game. Just to limit the damage there," Williamson said.

Through four big league starts since his May 16 callup from Triple-A Louisville, Williamson has a 4.29 ERA. Friday's game was the first the Reds have lost when Williamson started. 

"He’s showing he’s comfortable pitching at this level and he has the stuff to do it," Bell said. "When you pitch how he pitched tonight, it’s a really good way to have success. He’s not giving hitters too much credit. He’s getting good hitters out. He’s doing it by making good pitches, throwing strikes and trusting his ability. He has plenty of that. That’ll be the key, to take that approach."

Cincinnati notched only two hits during the first nine innings, including the India homer, as it went 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Milwaukee scored two runs in the top of the 11th inning against reliever Fernando Cruz on a pair of fielder's choices.

Going into 2023 with the Reds in a rebuilding phase, few might have expected that the series vs. Milwaukee would have ramifications near the top of the standings. Cincinnati (26-31) is now four games behind the first-place Brewers (30-27) in the National League Central.

Williamson was more focused on pitching than taking in the crowd size, but when he was lifted with two outs in the seventh inning, he immediately appreciated what he did in a big-game atmosphere.

"Walking off was really special," Williamson said. "That's probably one of the bigger crowds I've ever thrown in front of and pitched pretty well. That's when it hit me. It was a pretty special day. It was cool seeing the third deck full."