Brewers use big fifth inning to stay hot

CINCINNATI -- Thanks to a big six-run fifth inning, the Brewers extended their season-high winning streak to seven games in a 7-3 victory over the Reds on Saturday night from Great American Ball Park.

All but one of the Brewers' runs came in the fifth inning when Milwaukee took a commanding lead. The Brewers sent 12 to the plate during the inning, and were able to get RBI singles from Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez, Jean Segura and Scooter Gennett. The Brewers also scored on a balk by Reds relief pitcher Ryan Mattheus and a walk from Jonathan Lucroy.

"We had a lot of positive two-out at-bats there," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "We had a lot of base hits, walks and everything. We kept the inning alive and kept the line moving. It was one run, one run, one run, one run. There was no big hit that really broke it open."

Potentially the most important moment in the game was the decision to not overturn a stolen base by Braun. He had stolen third base and the play was challenged by the Reds, but stood because the replays weren't conclusive. The Brewers would then score five more runs after the play.

Video: MIL@CIN: Braun swipes third, Pena tossed after review

Braun said he thought the replay officials got the call right and considered it a big play in the outcome of the game.

"It changes the dynamic of the inning," Braun said. "Me getting to third base with less than two outs there is obviously important, but if I had I been out, then there be two outs and nobody on base. But when you're going well it seems like you get those breaks and that's what's been happening to us this last week."

On the opposite side of the call was Reds catcher Brayan Pena, who was ejected after arguing the replay call. After the game Pena again voiced his frustration with the call and the impact it had on the game.

"A call can make a difference in a game, and it can make a difference in a series," Pena said. "Especially after that, you guys saw what happened. It's not the same when you have two outs and nobody on base, rather than one out and a man on third. It makes a difference. It really makes a difference in the ballgame."

After taking the first two games of the three-game series against the Reds, the Brewers will be looking to complete a perfect 7-0 week. The Brewers had yet to sweep any opponent until this week, and have now won four straight series.

"We're playing great," said Braun, who's Brewers have scored 52 runs during the winning streak. "It's my ninth year in the big leagues and it's probably the best offensive week I've been apart of collectively."