Arcia three-run home took Brewers to outplay Reds

Orlando Arcia hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning and right-hander Jhoulys Chacin allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings in the Milwaukee Brewers' 4-3 win over the host Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. Arcia's two-out blast ended his 0-for-16 hitless drought to open the season and broke a 1-1 tie. It came when the Reds decided to pitch to him with first base open, Chacin on deck and Ryan Braun appearing ready to pinch hit.

Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen was summoned after lefty Zach Duke (1-1) allowed a walk, a long single and a stolen base. Arcia hit Lorenzen's second pitch just over the fence in right field. Reliever Josh Hader allowed a leadoff walk in the ninth but retired the next three batters, two on strikeouts, to get his fourth save as the Brewers won their fourth straight game and fifth in six games to open the season. The Reds lost their third straight after winning on Opening Day. Eugenio Suarez hit his first home run and drove in his first two runs of the season for the Reds.

Chacin (2-0) gave up three hits, struck out six and walked three. He left with one out in the sixth after allowing two walks and a flare single to load the bases. Left-hander Alex Claudio came on to get lefty-hitting Scott Schebler to ground out, allowing a run to score, and right-hander Junior Guerra then retired pinch hitter Jose Iglesias on another grounder to end the threat.

Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani went five innings in his first start of the season for the Reds. He gave up three hits and a run, struck out eight and walked three. The Brewers opened the scoring in the third inning when Jesus Aguilar singled to score Lorenzo Cain.

Chacin breezed through the first three innings, needing only 41 pitches and not allowing a base runner. But with one out in the fourth, Chacin walked Joey Votto. Yasiel Puig singled to left-centre, and Suarez ripped a hard ground shot that caromed off the third baseman Travis Shaw and down the left field line for an RBI double.

Chacin rebounded to get Schebler to pop out and Derek Dietrich to ground out. Suarez's solo homer came with two outs in the eighth, the only run and hit Guerra allowed in 2 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out one. The Reds finished with four hits, two each by Suarez and Puig. Votto walked twice and scored each time. Christian Yelich had two of the Brewers' seven hits.

(With inputs from agencies.)