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Reds-Brewers Preview

May 31, 2009 - 4:16 AM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Cincinnati (26-21) at Milwaukee (28-20), 2:05 p.m. EDT

With a lineup boasting sluggers Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, it was only a matter of time before the Milwaukee Brewers broke out of their offensive slump.

The Brewers look to build off their highest-scoring game in weeks and sweep the Cincinnati Reds for the first time in three years Sunday in the finale of their three-game set at Miller Park.

After scoring six runs in its three previous games combined, Milwaukee (29-20) plated six in the fifth inning of Saturday's 9-5 victory over the Reds (26-22).

Fielder, Corey Hart and Craig Counsell each had three hits for the Brewers, who pounded out 16 hits after scoring 15 runs and batting just .195 in their previous seven games. Fielder, Braun and Mike Cameron all homered as Milwaukee scored its most runs since a 12-6 win over the Chicago Cubs on May 9.

"Guys are shaking loose a little bit," manager Ken Macha said. "Let's hope we have a carryover."

The Brewers entered this series losers of five of six and are looking to sweep the Reds for the first time since July 3-5, 2006

Fielder, who leads the National League with 48 RBIs, is 9 for 15 with three home runs and nine RBIs in four games against Cincinnati this month and 6 for 9 with three doubles lifetime versus scheduled starter Micah Owings (3-5, 4.78 ERA).

Braun is 5 for 9 with a homer and double against Owings.

Yovani Gallardo (4-2, 3.32) takes the mound for the Brewers looking to carry some momentum from an impressive outing.

Against St. Louis on Monday, Gallardo carried a no-hitter into the sixth and ended up allowing two hits in eight innings of a 1-0, 10-inning win.

The right-hander is 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA in three starts at Miller Park since an awful home opener against the Reds. On April 13, Gallardo was tagged for seven runs and three hits - including two homers - with four walks in five innings of a 7-6 loss to Cincinnati.

While the Brewers appear to be getting back on track, the Reds have lost two straight after winning four in a row.

It's not going to get any easier for Cincinnati after Joey Votto was placed on the 15-day disabled list with stress-related issues believed to be linked to his ongoing struggles with an inner-ear infection - although club officials were hesitant to go into detail about the situation.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said the timeline for his return was unclear.

If Votto - hitting .357 with eight homers and 33 RBIs - is out for an extended period of time, that could spell trouble for Cincinnati. Jay Bruce leads the Reds with 14 homers but was hitless in four at-bats Saturday, falling to 1 for 18 with a home run in five games at Miller Park this season.

Owings made his season debut at Milwaukee on April 15, allowing four runs and five hits in five innings of a 9-3 loss. Four starts later, he yielded five runs and seven hits in six innings of a 6-5 win over the Brewers on May 7.

On Tuesday, the right-hander allowed three runs and six hits in five innings of a 6-4 victory over Houston, but didn't factor in the decision. He's gone winless in three starts since defeating Arizona on the road May 12.