MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brice Turang hit a two-run homer, Tyler Alexander struck out six in 5 2/3 hitless innings for his first victory of the season and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Friday night.
Milwaukee has won four straight following an 0-4 start — the first team to do so since the 2021 Atlanta Braves.
The Reds played without first-year manager Terry Francona and several players who were sent back to the team hotel sick, although most key players were in the lineup. Bench coach Freddie Benavides took over managing duties.
Turang’s second homer of the season came in the fifth inning for a 3-0 lead. It gave him a career-best eight-game hitting streak — and an 11-game stretch dating to last season.
Cincinnati ended a 35-inning scoreless streak when Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth to drive in TJ Friedl. Jeimer Candelario followed with an RBI double.
Trevor Megill got Friedl to fly out for his first save.
Nick Martinez (0-2) allowed five hits and three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Milwaukee left fielder Jackson Chourio, who went 0 for 5 with five strikeouts on Opening Day, has hit safely in seven consecutive games.
Key moment
Cincinnati appeared to be in danger of a fourth consecutive shutout, especially after being held without a hit through six innings before Gavin Lux hit a seventh-inning single.
Key stat
Milwaukee is 39-14 against the Reds in the last 53 games.
Up next
RHP Elvin Rodríguez (0-1, 9.00) will start for Milwaukee on Saturday against Cincinnati RHP Brady Singer (1-0, 0.00)
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
The Associated Press
