Reds 6, Brewers 2
Reds 6, Brewers 2: Ryan Ludwick and Brandon Phillips hit two-run homers and Bronson Arroyo threw six solid innings to help Cincinnati clinch a series win over visiting Milwaukee.
The Reds jumped on Yovani Gallardo for a four-run first inning capped by Ludwick's blast, his 15th, into the second deck in left field. Phillips added a pair of insurance runs when he drove a hanging breaking ball from Jose Veras into the left-field seats.
The loss snapped a streak of three straight series wins against National League Central opponents by the Brewers and dropped them 9 1/2 games behind the division-leading Reds.
Arroyo (5-6) struck out six and allowed two runs on five hits for his fourth quality start in his last five outings.
Gallardo (8-7) settled in after the rocky first and lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing just the four runs on nine hits. But the damage was done, as he snapped his streak of seven consecutive quality starts and dropped to 1-2 against the Reds this season.
GAME NOTEBOOK: There has been at least one home run in 74 consecutive games at Great American Ball Park, the longest stretch since an 80-game streak at Coors Field in 2002-03. … The Reds have hit five home runs in the first two games of the series. … Gallardo failed to record a quality start for just the fourth time in 20 outings this season. … Arroyo improved to 2-0 versus the Brewers this season and 13-8 against them in his career.