Brewers offense explodes in 9-1 win over Cincinnati

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Jonathan Lucroy missed the two-strike pitch but got the call. His next swing produced a home run that sparked a big inning.

Lucroy's two-run homer started Milwaukee's five-run third inning, and the Brewers rolled to a 9-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night with their best offensive showing in nearly two months.

The bottom two teams in the NL Central have split the first two games of their series.

Lucroy connected off left-hander John Lamb (1-7) in the third as he continued taking advantage of the last-place Reds. The All-Star catcher is 14 for 31 (.452) against Cincinnati this season, with five of his 12 homers and 15 RBIs.

Hernan Perez also hit a two-run homer off Lamb, who gave up nine runs and nine hits. He left after the first five Brewers reached in the third inning. The left-hander has lost his last three starts, giving up 20 runs in 11 1/3 innings.

Nelson gave up six hits and a pair of walks in seven shutout innings, emerging from his slump. He had been 0-4 with a 5.14 ERA in his last seven starts. Joey Votto had four of Cincinnati's nine hits.