MLB: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chase Anderson leaves after first inning

CINCINNATI -- The first-place Milwaukee Brewers lost one of their most consistent starting pitchers when right-hander Chase Anderson left Wednesday night's game in Cincinnati after pitching just one inning with what the team called a left oblique strain.

Anderson needed just eight pitches to get through the first inning Wednesday, retiring the Reds in order with one strikeout. But, he was replaced by right-hander Paolo Espino to begin the second. Espino allowed a leadoff homer by Adam Duvall to put Cincinnati ahead 1-0.

Coming into Wednesday's outing, Anderson was 11-3 with a 2.87 ERA in his previous 27 starts dating to last July. Brewers manager Craig Counsell said the key for Anderson is renewed confidence in his curve ball and the cutter.

"Chase has just become a better pitcher," Counsell said on Tuesday. "He's trusting four pitches. I think he started the season last year trusting two pitches. That's a lot more options for hitters to defend and think about. That's a big difference."

Including his one inning on Wednesday, Anderson is 6-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 16 starts this season, helping Milwaukee spend 39 days alone in first place in the National League Central.