Brewers 8, Reds 3
Ryan Braun went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Yovani Gallardo pitched six solid innings as host Milwaukee exploded offensively to snap a three-game losing skid.
The Brewers earned just their second win in the past seven games and broke out at the plate after averaging 1.2 runs in those previous five losses.
Braun, who entered the game hitting .375 with five home runs and eight RBIs in the last six outings, scored on a two-run single from Jonathan Lucroy in the first. He then put Milwaukee ahead 3-0 with a two-out RBI ground-rule double to left field in the second inning.
Aramis Ramirez broke the game open with a two-out, three-run triple into deep right with the bases loaded in the fourth.
Gallardo (2-3) went six innings, allowing two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts to snap a four-start winless drought. Gallardo helped his cause with a RBI single to make the score 7-0 in the fifth.
Cesar Izturis made the game 8-2 with a solo home run in the seventh, his first homer since 2010.
Jay Bruce’s 10th home run of the year, a two-run shot in the sixth, was the lone highlight for the Reds, who suffered just their second loss in the last six outings.
Scott Rolen trimmed the lead to five runs in the eighth with a RBI double that scored Brandon Phillips. Phillips finished 2-for-4 and scored twice.
Homer Bailey (1-3) lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on six hits.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Brewers general manager Doug Melvin and manager Ron Roenicke were given contract extensions Tuesday. … Bruce extended his hitting streak to 11 games. … Rolen hit career double No. 506, tying Babe Ruth for 48th all-time.