Mike Cameron hit a go-head two-run homer in a six-run fifth inning, waking up the Milwaukee Brewers' latent offense in a 9-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.
Cincinnati was without offensive standout Joey Votto, who 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.
But pitching was the Reds' biggest problem Saturday, especially in a fifth inning that at times seemed like it might last all night.
With Milwaukee trailing 5-3 going into the fifth, Ryan Braun hit a one-out solo home run to cut Cincinnati's lead to one. Prince Fielder then singled, and Cameron hit a 1-1 pitch from Reds starter Aaron Harang deep to left-center field for his 10th home run of the season and a 6-5 Milwaukee lead.
It was the Brewers' third home run of the night off Harang (5-5), who also allowed a three-run homer by Fielder in the first. But it didn't stop there.
Corey Hart reached on an infield hit, then barely beat a throw home to score on a double by Bill Hall. Reds manager Dusty Baker then removed Harang in favor of Jared Burton.
Burton allowed a ground-rule double to Mike Rivera, scoring Hall to give the Brewers an 8-5 lead. Burton then got Brewers relief pitcher Seth McClung to swing at strike three, but a wild pitch got away from catcher Ryan Hanigan, allowing McClung to take first and Rivera to take third.
Rivera then scored on an RBI single by Craig Counsell, and the inning finally ended on back-to-back flyouts.
The Associated Press: Brewers' bats wake up in 9-5 win over Reds