MILWAUKEE — Never mind Todd Walker's decisive 11th-inning single. A play in the eighth inning epitomized the difference between Cincinnati and Milwaukee.

Brewers manager Jerry Royster (right) argues with home plate umpire Doug Eddings and third base coach Gary Allenson holds back Richie Sexson after Royster and Sexson were ejected. | ZOOM |

        Brewers rookie Alex Sanchez didn't run out a bunt that he popped up in front of home plate and Reds third baseman Aaron Boone alertly let the ball fall, then threw to first to begin a double play.

        “That's a heads-up play on his part. It's a bonehead play on our part,” Milwaukee manager Jerry Royster fumed after Milwaukee lost its seventh straight to Cincinnati, 2-1 Thursday.

        “That won't happen on my team ever again.”

        Ben Sheets took a two-hitter and a 1-0 lead into the ninth after he drove in the Brewers' only run with his first career double. But he surrendered a leadoff homer to Sean Casey, and Mike DeJean (0-2) lost it in the 11th.

        Royster said Sheets should have had a cushion of several runs if not for the Brewers' ineptitude, exemplified by Sanchez's lack of hustle. Also, Alex Ochoa was picked off first, Raul Casanova was thrown out at the plate on a play in which he might have torn ligaments in his left elbow.

        “That's terrible. That's brutal. We made so many mistakes. We got picked off. We didn't run. We get thrown out at home plate,” Royster said. “Hey, it was 1-0 because that's what we did. We made sure it was 1-0 going into the ninth. I mean, that's all around bad.”

        The Brewers fell to 12-29 with their 16th loss in 22 games.

        Things are going well for the Reds because they're doing the little things the Brewers aren't. Take Boone's heads-up play.

        “He did not panic. He let the ball fall,” Royster said admiringly. “He's got the fastest guy in baseball running to first. He throws to first. And then Casey makes a perfect throw to second. Double play. See you later.”

        Sanchez said he didn't run because he didn't see the ball and figured it was foul. Sanchez will have plenty of time to watch the game Friday because Royster said he won't be in the starting lineup.

        Richie Sexson, ejected in the fourth inning along with Royster, lashed out after the game.

        “We're making 'A' ball mistakes,” Sexson said. “It's ridiculous for a young player not to run the ball out.”

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