MILWAUKEE (AP) -- David Holmberg pitched six effective innings, Billy Hamilton hit a two-run triple and the Cincinnati Reds beat Milwaukee 5-1 on Saturday night, snapping the Brewers' three-game winning streak.
Holmberg (1-1) allowed two hits in his first major league win, including Aramis Ramirez's fourth-inning homer. The left-hander has yielded one earned run in 12 2-3 innings over three September appearances.
The Brewers' offense is struggling as it tries to keep pace in the National League playoff race. The Brewers entered the evening 1 1/2 games behind Pittsburgh for the second wild-card spot.
Cincinnati scratched out two runs in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk and sacrifice fly off Yovani Gallardo (8-10). The speedy Hamilton broke open a one-run game with his triple to the gap in right-center in the seventh.
Hamilton's first extra-base hit since Aug. 28 came against Zach Duke, part of a porous outing for a Brewers bullpen that gave up three runs and six hits combined in the seventh and eighth innings.
The 23-year-old Holmberg overcame an early bout of wildness after hitting two batters in the first, when the Brewers also had their best chance at a big inning.
An unusual double play with runners on first and second and nobody out helped bail out Cincinnati. Jonathan Lucroy's hard-hit grounder to shortstop Zack Cozart froze Carlos Gomez leading off second.
Cozart threw to second for a forceout before Cincinnati tracked down Gomez in a rundown. Holmberg then got Khris Davis to fly out to right to end the inning.
A frustrating night at the plate for Milwaukee included a corkscrew swing for Gomez through a Holmberg curveball for a strikeout. Gomez's helmet fell off during the swing, and the animated outfielder slammed his bat down on the helmet on the ground before walking away.
TRAINER'S ROOM
1B Joey Votto rejoined the team this weekend in Milwaukee in an effort to return before the end of the season. Votto, who has been on the disabled list since July 8 with a left knee injury, worked out before Saturday's game.
UP NEXT
Reds: RHP Mike Leake (11-11) is scheduled to make his career-best 31st start on Sunday. He already has career highs of 149 strikeouts in 196 1-3 innings.
Brewers: RHP Matt Garza (7-8) is 1-0 with a 0.56 ERA in two starts this season against Cincinnati.
