The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to Cincinnati to take on the Reds in what is the first of five out of six series to be played against NL Central foes heading into the All-Star break. While any series could technically “make or break” a season, this stretch of 21 games (18 of them against the division) over the next 21 days just feels more important.
Milwaukee, WI
Here are Milwaukee County Zoo animals we said goodbye to in 2023. And those we welcomed.
Watch the Milwaukee County Zoo’s new snow leopard explore his new home
Choto, a 2-year-old male snow leopard, gets acclimated to his environment in the zoo’s Big Cat Country.
Milwaukee County Zoo
In 2023, Milwaukeeans said mournful good-byes to Milwaukee County Zoo favorites, including Gordy the groundhog, two giraffes and a silverback gorilla.
In happier news, we also met some new babies, including a De Brazza’s monkey born in front of visitors, and welcomed animals here from other zoos, such as female harbor seal Mira and Choto, a male snow leopard.
Milwaukee County Zoo animals that died in 2023
On Feb. 5, Stella, a 19-year-old female jaguar, was humanely euthanized. According to a statement from the zoo, Stella had suffered for years from “chronic, age-related health conditions that worsened and were not responsive to supportive care.”
On March 3, just about a month after predicting six more weeks of winter in the zoo’s annual Groundhog Day ceremony, Gordy, the zoo’s almost-five-year-old groundhog, died. Gordy — who had been popular with zookeepers, zoo visitors and thousands of Milwaukee schoolchildren who watched his prediction every year — was mourned by many fans who will miss his “camera star personality.”
On March 22, Bahatika, a 17-year-old male giraffe, died. Although he had experienced a variety of age-related health issues, his death was unexpected. Baha had been in Milwaukee since 2006, and fathered 7 calves.
Just a week after the death of Bahatika, another giraffe, 30-year-old female Rahna, was humanely euthanized. Rahna had long been monitored by the zoo’s vet staff as she suffered from a variety of age-related issues and was ten years beyond the median life expectancy of female giraffes living in zoos.
On April 19, Sanchi, the zoo’s 26-year-old Bactrian camel, was humanely euthanized after her quality of life declined due to her age. She had lived in Milwaukee since November 1997.
On May 18, Gypsy, a 30-year-old Arabian horse, was humanely euthanized due to an acute episode of colic that zoo staff believed wouldn’t have been solved with surgery. Gypsy had been a resident of the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm since 2013.
On May 24, Stuart, a zebra, died after colliding with a fence. According to a statement from the zoo, “As he was exploring, running and chasing the impalas in the yard, Stuart inadvertently came in contact with the wire containment fence surrounding the habitat. Despite the immediate response from the veterinary team, Stuart did not survive his injuries.” Stuart had been at the Milwaukee County Zoo since 2019.
On Sept. 13, Oliver, a 34-year-old male silverback western lowland gorilla, died. Oliver, who had experienced chronic health conditions for years, had been anesthetized to address a tooth infection. He experienced cardiac and respiratory arrest while under anesthesia, and was unable to be revived. Oliver had been in Milwaukee since 2021.
Milwaukee County Zoo animals that we welcomed in 2023
In March 2023, the zoo announced the arrival of ten new Amazon milk frogs — tiny blue frogs that secrete poison against predators when they’re threatened. The frogs came to Milwaukee from the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.
Two new calves, Bailey, a Brown Swiss cow, and Harper, a Holstein cow, were born in early 2023 in the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm. A third calf, Martini, was born in September.
On March 14, a Victoria crowned pigeon chick hatched in the zoo’s aviary. The species, which is native to New Guinea, is a first for the Milwaukee County Zoo.
On April 6, a female harbor seal, Mira, arrived in Milwaukee from the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. Mira, who was born Aug. 7, 2021, was brought to Milwaukee in the hopes that she will be a companion to Leia and mate with Ringo.
On April 12, a northern spider tortoise hatched, the first successful hatching for the zoo’s mating pair. Northern spider tortoises are a critically endangered species.
On May 20, Leilani, a female Bactrian camel was born to mom AJ and dad Stan.
On June 10, the zoo’s female De Brazza’s monkey, Holly, gave birth to Heri in front of zoo visitors. Holly and Hugo, the baby’s father, were brought to Milwaukee in 2022 in the hopes that they would become the zoo’s first De Brazza’s monkey breeding pair.
In July, Nelson, a 14-year-old Norwegian Fjord horse, was brought to the Milwaukee County Zoo. Fjord horses are considered ponies, and the species was first brought to the United States in the 1950s.
On July 30, Guillermo, a prehensile-tailed porcupine baby — otherwise known as a porcupette — was born to mom Quinn and dad Seamus.
In July, Choto, a 2-year-old male snow leopard, arrived in Milwaukee from the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, North Dakota. Zookeepers hope Choto will breed with the zoo’s 9-year-old female snow leopard, Orya.
On Aug. 5, Chula, a female greater kudu, was born. Greater kudus are a species of antelope native to eastern and southern Africa. Chula means “cute” in Spanish.
On Oct. 27, a 3-year-old male giraffe, Kendi, arrived in Milwaukee from the Dallas Zoo. Kendi has been recommended for breeding by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Program.
In late October, two 4-year-old male Baja blue rock lizards arrived in Milwaukee from the Los Angeles Zoo. Their names are Baja Blast and Baja Splash.
In November, two yellow-rumped caciques, one male and one female, arrived at the zoo’s aviary from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. The birds, native to northern South America, have been recommended for breeding.
Milwaukee is fresh off a disappointing series loss in Atlanta, as the Brewers lost the first two games by one run each before the offense exploded for nine runs in a win on Sunday. On the other side, the Reds are coming off a 4-2 week in which they took two of three from both New York teams — they outscored the Mets 26-12 at home to begin the week before outscoring the Yankees 14-8 in the Bronx over the weekend. Cincinnati sits in last place in the division, 9.5 games behind the first place Crew.
The Brewers are currently without pitchers Brandon Woodruff (expected to return for the series opener — more on him below), Logan Henderson (early July return), Jared Koenig (late June/early July), Coleman Crow (July), DL Hall (late July), Rob Zastryzny (late June/early July), Brian Fitzpatrick (TBD), Carlos Rodriguez (TBD), Angel Zerpa (out for season), and Quinn Priester (out for season). Outfielder Brandon Lockridge is the lone position player on the IL, and he’s reportedly close to a rehab assignment after a setback in the last few weeks.
The Reds are without position players Elly De La Cruz (expected to return either Monday or Tuesday) and Ke’Bryan Hayes (TBD), as well as pitchers Pierce Johnson (expected to return on Monday), Brandon Williamson (second half), Emilio Pagán (late June/July), Hunter Greene (July), and Graham Ashcraft (second half).
Jake Bauers leads the Brewer offense with 13 homers this year, with Brice Turang (11 homers) and Jackson Chourio (10 homers) right behind him. Chourio, Andrew Vaughn, and William Contreras lead the regulars in batting average, as Chourio is hitting .301, Vaughn is hitting .352, and Contreras is hitting .299 after a 4-for-5 day on Sunday. Gary Sánchez, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, Cooper Pratt, and David Hamilton also play key roles offensively, with Joey Ortiz and Blake Perkins rounding things out. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .256/.340/.394 (.734 OPS ranks ninth), with 68 homers (tied for 27th), 397 runs (third), and 75 steals (fourth).
Rookie Sal Stewart leads the Cincy offense with 14 homers this season, with JJ Bleday (13 homers), De La Cruz (12 homers), and Spencer Steer (12 homers) not far behind him. Speaking of De La Cruz, his return will be big for a Reds’ offense that has scuffled over the last month or so, as he’s hitting .280/.346/.509 and is always a threat to steal bags. Nathaniel Lowe, Matt McLain, Eugenio Suárez, Tyler Stephenson, and Dane Myers are the other regulars for the Reds, with Noelvi Marte, Blake Dunn, Will Benson, Edwin Arroyo, and Jose Trevino serving as depth. As a team, the Reds are hitting .229/.311/.395 (.706 OPS ranks 21st), with 96 homers (11th), 325 runs (22nd), and 59 steals (11th).
The Brewer bullpen is led by Aaron Ashby, who just took his first loss after 10 wins on Saturday evening. Grant Anderson, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill have also been effective, with Chad Patrick serving in a long-relief role. Joel Kuhnel, Drew Rom, and Craig Yoho serve as Milwaukee’s “B” bullpen as it stands. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.45 team ERA (third), including a 3.37 starter ERA (fourth) and a 3.55 bullpen ERA (seventh). They’ve struck out 736 batters (first) over 670 2/3 innings.
Brock Burke and Sam Moll lead the Reds bullpen, as Burke has a 3.00 ERA and 31 strikeouts over 36 innings and Moll has a 3.19 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 31 innings. Tony Santillan has struggled to a 5.10 ERA, but Tejay Antone (2.75 ERA) and Caleb Ferguson (1.50 ERA) have both been effective. Zach Maxwell (9.90 ERA), Chris Paddack (6.04 ERA), and Chase Petty (4.41 ERA) have also struggled, and with Johnson expected to return, one of them seems like the most likely odd man out. As a staff, the Reds have a 4.58 team ERA (24th), including a 4.43 starter ERA (24th) and a 4.81 bullpen ERA (16th). They’ve struck out 597 batters (26th) over 678 innings.
Monday, June 22 @ 6:10 p.m.: RHP Brandon Woodruff (2-1, 3.60 ERA, 3.97 FIP) vs. RHP Brady Singer (3-6, 5.32 ERA, 6.15 FIP)
Woodruff is slated to make his return in the series opener, as he’s missed nearly two months after a shoulder injury that became blatantly clear in his last start due to diminished velocity. For the season, he’s made six starts, totaling 30 innings with a 3.60 ERA, 3.97 FIP, and 25 strikeouts. In a pair of rehab appearances with the ACL Brewers and High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Big Woo totaled nine innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out 11. In 15 career appearances (13 starts) against the Reds, Woodruff is 7-4 with a 3.48 ERA and 106 strikeouts over 75 innings.
Singer, 29, has had a rough second season in Cincinnati after being acquired in the Jonathan India trade last offseason. After putting up a 14-12 record with a 4.03 ERA in 2025, he’s 3-6 with a 5.32 ERA and 6.15 FIP over 66 innings this season. He’s looked a bit better in his last two outings, though, allowing three runs on nine hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts over 11 innings in a win over the Mets and a no-decision against the Padres. Singer has made four career starts against Milwaukee — including three last season — with a 2-2 record, a 4.82 ERA, and 20 strikeouts across 18 2/3 innings.
Tuesday, June 23 @ 6:10 p.m.: RHP Brandon Sproat (1-4, 5.94 ERA, 5.52 FIP) vs. LHP Nick Lodolo (2-2, 6.12 ERA, 5.80 FIP)
Sproat has a 5.94 ERA and 5.52 FIP with 63 strikeouts across 63 2/3 innings this season, and he’s been about as inconsistent as those numbers indicate — he’s shown flashes of top-of-the-rotation stuff, but he’s also struggled with homers and walks. His last start was a microcosm of his season, as he went three perfect innings before allowing a pair of walks and a pair of hits — including a grand slam — in the fourth inning against the Guardians. He struck out six but exited after just 63 pitches in that fourth, as he dealt with cramps (something that seems to be a larger issue among Milwaukee’s young pitching staff). Sproat’s only appearance against the Reds came last year in his MLB debut while with the Mets. He took the loss in that one, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over six frames.
Lodolo, who had the numbers of a top-of-the-rotation guy last season with a 3.33 ERA, 3.81 FIP, and 156 strikeouts, has struggled mightily in eight starts thus far this year, with a 6.12 ERA, 5.80 FIP, and 32 strikeouts over 42 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old lefty got roughed up big time against the Mets in his last appearance, allowing seven runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out just two over 4 2/3 innings. Lodolo has made six career appearances (five starts) against Milwaukee, with a 1-1 record, 2.84 ERA, and 29 strikeouts over 31 2/3 innings.
Wednesday, June 24 @ 6:10 p.m.: LHP Shane Drohan (3-2, 3.40 ERA, 3.17 FIP) vs. RHP Rhett Lowder (3-4, 4.82 ERA, 4.46 FIP)
Drohan has turned into a reliable five-inning guy for the Brewers over the last month, as he has a 3.40 ERA, 3.17 FIP, and 47 strikeouts over 47 2/3 innings this season. He took a no-decision in his last outing against the Guardians, going five frames with one run allowed on three hits and three walks, striking out three on 91 pitches. This marks Drohan’s first career start against Cincinnati.
Lowder, 24, is a former No. 7 overall pick who debuted at just 22 in 2024, pitching to a 1.17 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 30 2/3 innings that year. After missing all of 2025 due to injuries, he hasn’t looked quite the same in 2026 through 11 starts. He has a 4.82 ERA, 4.46 FIP, and 42 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings. He took the loss in his last appearance against the Yankees, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Lowder made his lone career start against Milwaukee back in August 2024. He took the loss, allowing one run on two hits and four walks with six strikeouts across four innings.
Monday, June 22: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Tuesday, June 23: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Wednesday, June 24: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
The Brewers hit a tough rut in Atlanta over the weekend, but this Reds team has been struggling after jumping out to a hot start. I’ll take the Crew to win two of three to wrap up the road trip.
MILWAUKEE – One person was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Milwaukee in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 21.
The driver of the other vehicle was arrested at the scene.
Crash and arrest
What we know:
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the crash happened at about 1:15 a.m. near 11th and Greenfield.
A vehicle crossed the roadway then struck another vehicle, killing the driver. The victim, a 47-year-old, was being treated for life-threatening injuries but died from those injuries at the scene.
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It is suspected that the driver of the striking vehicle was impaired. The 24-year-old suspect was arrested on scene in connection with the accident, and charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for review.
The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department sent FOX6 the information.
Milwaukee, WI
Carin León, Summerfest’s first regional Mexican music act, draws new visitors to Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE – Summerfest wrapped up its first weekend Saturday with headliner Carin León, who organizers said is the first regional Mexican music artist to hit the stage.
Out-of-town draw
What they’re saying:
The performer drew visitors to the festival from Chicago to Michigan.
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“I love the experience, it’s really cool,” Gigi Acosta, who traveled from Chicago, said. “We love it, it’s so much fun here.”
Folks flocked into Henry Maier Festival Park to take part in the fun.
“He puts on a great show,” said Karina Rodriguez, who came from Chicago with her family.
“Five hours, to me, is really nothing to come see him,” said Tracey Solis, who along with Filberto Solís, traveled from Michigan.
Tourism in Milwaukee
Big picture view:
It is an impact Summerfest leaders said will have a greater impact on the city.
“We drive over $160 million in tourism to this economy,” Jerrod Woods, senior director of marketing for Summerfest, said. “Carin is another huge aspect of that to help bring all the tourism to the city.”
Woods said León’s performance is an example of the diverse number of artists they want to keep bringing to the festival.
“The amount of people and outpour that you receive, like, ‘thank you for bringing such an incredible artist,’ like Carin León, who represents the Latin community not only here in Milwaukee but around the region,” Woods said.
It’s what brought new visitors, like the Rodriguez family, to Milwaukee.
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“We brought my mom because she’s a super fan,” said Karina Rodriguez. “She loves him, and this is our first time at Summerfest.”
Acosta even made a poster hoping to get her favorite artist’s attention.
“I love you Carin León,” she said as she blew a kiss.
What’s next:
Organizers said Saturday’s show is another example of giving people what they want. They told FOX6 News that they are already planning for 2027.
The Source: Information in this story is from FOX6 News interviews with Gigi Acosta, Tracey Solis, Filberto Solís, Karina Rodriguez, Georgina Rodriguez, Casey Rodriguez, and Jerrod Woods.
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