MILWAUKEE -- A nice start to September for David Holmberg could lead to a bigger role next year with the Cincinnati Reds.
Holmberg pitched six innings of two-hit ball in his first major league win, and the Reds stopped Milwaukee's three-game winning streak with a 5-1 victory on Saturday night.
Billy Hamilton had a key two-run triple for Cincinnati, and Todd Frazier contributed three hits.
Holmberg's fastball tops out at about 89 mph, but the 23-year-old left-hander effectively changed speeds to frustrate a Brewers lineup stacked with strong right-handed hitters.
Aramis Ramirez homered in the fourth for Milwaukee's only run, and Sam LeCure and Jumbo Diaz each pitched an inning to complete the two-hitter.
Holmberg (1-1) impressed in an audition for 2015 for the Reds, who are seven games under .500.
"I just believe this September is hugely important for David simply to have the opportunity to pitch and get more comfortable as we head into 2015," manager Bryan Price said. "He's taking advantage of his opportunities."
Holmberg struck out four and walked two. He has yielded just one earned run in 12 2/3 innings over three September appearances.
The Brewers' offense is struggling as they try to keep pace in the National League playoff race. Milwaukee remained 1 1/2 games behind Pittsburgh for the second NL wild-card spot after the Pirates lost 6-4 to the Cubs.
"I can't explain it. He threw the ball well," Ramirez said about Holmberg. "What can I say?"
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.
When he got into trouble, Holmberg started thinking about what pitching coach Jeff Pico told him in the bullpen before the game.
"I was spinning off pitches and that was making me wild," Holmberg said. "I just wanted to get back in the zone and make pitches."
