CINCINNATI — Ramon Hernandez hit a two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday, rallying the Reds to a 7-6 victory over the Brewers in an opening-day flashback to their championship season.
“I’ve played 12 years, and this is the most amazing opening day,” said Hernandez, who ended it with his fourth hit. “To get that type of win is great, and to do it on a day like today gets people even more excited.”
The Brewers became the first team in 42 years to open the season with back-to-back homers when Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez connected off Edinson Volquez. Ryan Braun also had a solo shot, helping Milwaukee take a 6-3 lead to the ninth.
That’s when the Reds reverted to their winning ways of 2010. Their first six wins last season came in their final at-bat, tying the major-league record.
They began the new season with only the second game-ending homer in Reds opening-day history — Joe Randa beat the Mets with one in 2005.
The Brewers were leading by three before John Axford (0-1) let it get away. Hernandez hit an opposite-field line drive that set off a familiar Reds scrum at home plate.
“It seemed like he got a good piece if it, but I wasn’t too sure,” Axford said. “It sounded a little different.”
