Perez, Lucroy homer as Brewers rip Reds in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI - Hernan Perez and Jonathan Lucroy each hit two-run homers and Jimmy Nelson pitched seven shutout innings, lifting the Milwaukee Brewers to a 9-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night at Great American Ball Park.
Nelson (6-7) managed the big lead well, allowing six hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. He retired eight straight in one stretch.
After going 1-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs, Perez left Saturday’s game with a left foot contusion.
Joey Votto had four of Cincinnati’s nine hits, his first four-hit game since 2014.
Keyvius Sampson pitched four shutout innings in relief. It was the longest relief outing of his career and the longest for a Reds reliever this season. But the damage was already done by the Brewers.
Leadoff batter Jonathan Villar went 3-for-5 with a run scored to spark Milwaukee’s 12-hit outburst.
Milwaukee pounded Reds starter John Lamb, who allowed four runs and five hits in the first inning.
Perez started the scoring for Milwaukee with his fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the first inning. It was Perez’s first homer since July 5.
Chris Carter’s double down the right-field line drove in the third run. Will Middlebrooks’ RBI single made the score 4-0, although the Brewers’ third baseman was thrown out at second to end the inning.
Lucroy, who hadn’t homered since July 8, hit a two-run shot in the third to put the Brewers ahead 6-0.
Lamb thought he had struck out Lucroy on the previous pitch but home plate umpire Quin Wolcott ruled a foul tip. Reds manager Bryan Price argued to no avail. Seconds later, Lucroy launched his 12th homer of the season.
While Keyvius Sampson warmed up in place of Lamb, Price continued his discussion with Wolcott and was ejected for the third time this season.
Nelson showed bunt then ripped a single to right, driving in two more runs making the score 8-0. It was his fourth hit of the season and second and third RBIs.
Lamb (1-7) was charged with nine earned runs in just two-plus innings.