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Volquez, Dunn power Reds past Brewers

Jul 13, 2008 - 3:56 AM By David Cotey PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Edinson Volquez made one last push to be named the National League's starting pitcher in Tuesday's All-Star game.

Volquez recorded his fourth double-digit strikeout game of the season and Adam Dunn homered twice as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-2, at Miller Park on Saturday.

The starting pitchers for the All-Star game are expected to be announced Monday, and Volquez (12-3) looked worthy of that assignment in this one. He allowed two runs - one earned - and six hits in seven innings, walking two and striking out 10.

"I wanted him to go there on a high, on a positive," Red manager Dusty Baker said. "He threw quite a few pitches. (Colorado Rockies and the National League All-Star manager) Clint Hurdle called me today - I have to call him back - and was wondering how much he could ask of him. On two days' rest, that's not very long. I'll have to talk to Clint. I wouldn't mind if he started the game, just one inning."

Start or not, Volquez is just happy to be going to Yankee Stadium after an unexpected breakout first half of the season.

"That's great for me because it's my first full season in the big leagues and I made the All-Star game," Volquez said. "The last few years, I didn't pitch like I am right now. Every time I go out, I try to do the best I can, and I'm successful this year."

Dunn staked Volquez to a 3-0 lead with a two-out, three-run home run in the first inning off Brewers starter Seth McClung (5-5).

"It's nice to get a lead early with (Volquez) on the mound," Dunn said. "We were pretty confident."

Prince Fielder drew Milwaukee within a run in the fourth inning with a two-run blast, his 18th of the season. The slugger had a chance to deliver again in the fifth but grounded out with two outs and the bases loaded.

"All my pitches were there tonight," Volquez said. "I made good pitches, especially when I got bases loaded and Prince Fielder hitting. I threw the right pitch. I was behind the count, 2-0, and I threw my changeup again."

Dunn and Edwin Encarnacion hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth off reliever Eric Gagne, sending the Brewers to their fourth loss in six games.

Dunn's first home run was the only damage McClung endured as the righthander fought to keep his spot in the Brewers' rotation. He allowed just three runs, three hits and three walks with a season-high seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

"He pitched great, he really did," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "He just kind of threw a rolling breaking ball in the first to Dunn, but besides that, he buckled down and kept us right there."

With the Brewers' recent acquisition of CC Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians, McClung and fellow righthander Dave Bush are candidates to be sent to the bullpen when Jeff Suppan returns from injury after the All-Star break.

"My attitude hasn't changed," McClung said. "We're excited to have a guy that's a year-in, year-out Cy Young candidate on our staff, and he's going to help us win ballgames. I'm excited to be on the team with two aces (Sabathia and Ben Sheets) like that."

Jerry Hairston Jr. tied a career high with four hits for the Reds, who won for the 10th time in 14 games.