Rea (12-6) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on 10 hits, three walks and a hit batsman over 5.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.
Rea worked past four innings for the first time since Aug 24, but he allowed a season-high 14 batters to reach base. With the Brewers set to host the Wild Card Round of the playoffs starting Tuesday and Rea likely on the outside looking in when it comes to their playoff rotation, he was asked to eat some innings, with the quality being less important than the quantity. The veteran righty finished the regular season with career-high marks in innings pitched (167.2), strikeouts (135) and wins (12).