CINCINNATI -- Great American Ball Park has proven to be one of Ryan Braun's favorite places to work -- after going deep in the Brewers' 4-2 win on Sunday, he has 22 career homers there. Among opposing players, only Lance Berkman (23) has more. Braun also has 37 career homers against the Reds, the most against Cincinnati by any player since Braun played in his first Major League game in 2007.
"He's had success here, he knows he's had success, and that promotes a good feeling when you travel to Cincinnati," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said. "This place, and Dodger Stadium, seem like two places he's really good at."
Braun got ahold of a 1-0 pitch from Reds rookie right-hander Sal Romano and drove it into the right-center-field seats to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead in the third inning of Sunday's game. Romano, 23, was making his big league debut.
His fourth home run of the season came two pitches after Cincinnati second baseman Arismendy Alcantara had misplayed Eric Thames' ground ball.
Braun passed Cecil Cooper and moved into second place on the club's all-time RBI list. Braun has driven in 945 runs, one more than Cooper. Robin Yount (1,406) is Milwaukee's all-time leader.
"When you are being compared to any of those guys who had so much success while they were here, that's special," Braun said.
The next milestone for Braun is Milwaukee's all-time list in extra-base hits. One more would give him 651, tying him with Paul Molitor for second place behind Yount (960). Braun is already the club's career home run leader (289).
Meanwhile, he has another 149 games left in his 10th big league season.
"Now is not the time for reflection," Braun said.