Reds’ bullpen blanks Crew, ends runs-allowed streak

CINCINNATI — As the Reds’ bullpen set a Major League record with 23 consecutive games with at least one run allowed, the relievers didn’t hide from it, nor did they focus on it. However, they could hang their hats on how the dubious streak finally ended.

During Friday’s 5-1 win over the Brewers, the bullpen wasn’t handed a gimme, as it had to record 12 outs over four scoreless innings. One night earlier, when Alfredo Simon pitched 7 2/3 innings for the win, the final four outs came with two runs against J.J. Hoover.

“We mentioned it in the bullpen, but we weren’t like, ‘Oh man, we’re at 22 games, we can’t go 23 games!’ Whatever. It happens,” said Tony Cingrani, who notched his first career save with the final 1 2/3 scoreless innings. “We did play the best teams in baseball. It’s going to happen.”

Reds starter Tim Adleman completed five strong innings, but he was taken out after 101 pitches. To begin the bullpen’s first scoreless night of work since April 10 vs. the Cubs, Caleb Cotham followed Adleman and allowed one single over scoreless sixth and seventh innings.

“Yeah, we’re aware of it. It’s not something — I wouldn’t say …

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