Brewers 10, Reds 1
Yovani Gallardo struck out four batters in the fifth inning alone and a career-high 13 over his six innings to lead the visiting Milwaukee Brewers to a 10-1 trouncing of the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.
Ryan Braun drove in his 100th run with a single in the first and hit a three-run homer in the seventh for the Brewers, who trimmed their magic number to clinch the National League Central to five over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Gallardo (17-10) struck out Devin Mesoraco and Edinson Volquez for two quick outs in the fifth and then got Brandon Phillips swinging on a nasty pitch. The offering got away from catcher Jonathan Lucroy and allowed Phillips to reach. Gallardo stranded Phillips when he struck out Edgar Renteria.
The righthander, who had been lit up by the Reds in two previous matchups this season, allowed just one run and two hits while walking a pair.
Yuniesky Betancourt put the Brewers ahead for good with his solo blast off Volquez (5-6) in the fourth.
Braun greeted righthander Jose Arredondo by taking a 2-0 fastball deep to left for his 31st homer. Braun’s 3-for-5 night lifted his batting average to .333, just ahead of Jose Reyes’ .332 for the NL lead.