Joe Ross, Brewers lead big early, hold off Reds

Joe Ross continued his career dominance of the Cincinnati Reds, scattering five hits and three runs over 6 1/3 innings to lead the visiting Milwaukee Brewers to a 9-5 win Tuesday night.

Ross (1-0) won for the third time in as many career decisions against Cincinnati, striking out seven and walking one. He was charged with three runs but only two earned.

Brewers center fielder Blake Perkins had his first career three-hit game, finishing 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Sal Frelick also had three hits and scored twice for the Brewers, who evened their mark at 1-1 on their seven-game road trip.

Christian Yelich extended his on-base streak to 21 games, going 2-for-4 with an RBI double and driving in three for the Brewers.

Like the Brewers did on Monday, the Reds made a charge late in the game, cutting a 9-1 deficit down to four with two runs apiece in the seventh and eighth.

Reds put their first two runners on to start the ninth before Abner Uribe struck out the next three batters to end the game.

The Brewers were able to hand Frankie Montas (2-1) his first loss in a Cincinnati uniform, tagging the starter for six hits and five runs -- three earned -- over five innings. Montas struck out four and walked one.

Milwaukee made Montas labor in a three-run third, as the Cincinnati starter threw 36 of his 96 pitches in that frame. Perkins got his big night started with a two-run single. Yelich's RBI double that made it 3-0.

Three of Cincinnati's four hits against Ross came in the fourth inning, the only frame the Reds were able to break through and score against him.

Jake Fraley singled home Christian Encarnacion-Strand to cut Milwaukee's lead to 3-1. Elly De La Cruz doubled Fraley over to third with one out. But Ross settled down to strike out Spencer Steer and Nick Martini to end the threat.

The Brewers added valuable insurance in the sixth and seventh against reliever Carson Spiers, who surrendered seven hits and four runs -- three earned -- over four innings.

Shortstop De La Cruz committed his Major League-leading fifth error in Milwaukee's two-run fifth, throwing wide of second on a routine fielder's choice by William Contreras. Yelich, the next batter, belted a two-run double off Montas.