Reds 2, Brewers 1
Joey Votto homered and Tony Cingrani worked 6 1/3 strong innings as visiting Cincinnati took the opener of the four-game series.
Zack Cozart added an RBI single and Devin Mesoraco recorded two hits for the Reds, who pulled within 2 1/2 games of the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Central.
Cingrani (6-2) struck out nine while allowing a run on four hits and a walk. Three relievers bridged the gap to Aroldis Chapman, who struck out a pair in the ninth to pick up his 30th save.
Kyle Lohse (8-8) was the tough-luck loser for the Brewers, surrendering two runs (one earned) on five hits in seven innings. Rookie Khris Davis clubbed a solo home run as Milwaukee dropped back into last place in the Central, one-half game behind the Chicago Cubs.
Davis gave the Brewers the lead in the second inning, but Mesoraco singled and moved to second on an error in the fifth before coming home on Cozart’s base hit up the middle. Votto led off the sixth by blasting a 2-0 changeup out to right-center for his 18th home run.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Milwaukee CF Carlos Gomez made a leaping catch at the wall in the fourth inning to rob Brandon Phillips of a hit but suffered a right knee sprain when banging into the wall and had to be removed. He is scheduled for an MRI on Friday. … Cincinnati RHP Johnny Cueto (strained right lat) and LHP Sean Marshall (sprained left shoulder) are expected to have strength tests before the end of the series, after which a throwing plan will be determined. … Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks had surgery to repair his torn left hamstring on Thursday and will be out 4-6 months.