Fiers at loss for words after two grand slams
Righty becomes first pitcher in four years to allow two in same game
MILWAUKEE -- After becoming the first pitcher in four years to surrender two grand slams in the same game, Brewers right-hander Mike Fiers was at a loss for words.
"For us to score 10 there and not even be close to winning …" Fiers said before a long pause. "I don't even know how to explain it. Things haven't been going our way. Things definitely haven't been going my way. I need to be better. I don't know what else to say."
Fiers fell to 0-3 after allowing eight Reds runs, four earned, on six hits and three walks in four innings in a 16-10 loss, but it was the manner in which those runs scored that left Fiers searching for an explanation.
In the third inning, Brewers third baseman Jason Rogers' wild throw extended a Reds rally for Jay Bruce's two-out grand slam. Fiers watched his own team rally for four runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 4, only to surrender another grand slam, again with two outs, in the fourth, this time to Todd Frazier.
Video: CIN@MIL: Maldonado connects on a two-run shot to left
The last pitcher to serve up two grand slams in a game was the Tigers' Daniel Schlereth on June 28, 2011.
"I need to make those pitches when it counts," Fiers said. "With two outs, I need to make good pitches. I need to get a good ground ball … something other than a ball hit out of the ballpark. Right now, I don't know. I'm just not making that pitch."
Said catcher Martin Maldonado: "I think we have to concentrate a little bit more -- both me and the pitcher."
Fiers subtly suggested he disagreed with some calls made by home-plate umpire Ted Barrett, who drew attention from the stands at Miller Park throughout the night. But, Fiers said, "Instead of sitting here pouting or saying the call didn't go our way, we need to make an adjustment and get it the next time."
The Brewers' best starting pitcher so far has been right-hander Jimmy Nelson, who is up against Reds ace Johnny Cueto on Wednesday night. Each of the team's other four starting pitchers own ERAs of 5.40 or above. After losing all three of his starts, Fiers' ERA is 6.75.
"It's concerning; it always is," manager Ron Roenicke said. "Some of those starters are guys that are really consistent that we think every time out have a chance to win. So we need to get back to that feeling -- not just the pitching staff, but the regulars, too, that every time one of those guys goes out there we feel like we have a chance to win."