MLB: Milwaukee 5, Cincinnati 4

MILWAUKEE, July 7 (UPI) -- A three-run blast by Rickie Weeks put Milwaukee in front in the fifth Thursday and the Brewers held on through a shaky ninth to defeat Cincinnati 5-4.

After losing seven out of eight, Milwaukee has won two in a row.

The homer by Weeks highlighted a four-run inning that gave the Brewers a 5-2 lead and Chris Narveson (6-5) protected it with a six-inning performance. Takashi Saito then worked a perfect seventh for Milwaukee and LaTroy Hawkins gave up a run on two hits in the eighth.

John Axford came on in the ninth to protect a two-run advantage and Ramon Hernandez hit his first pitch over the wall in right to bring the Reds within one. Axford went on to issue a one-out walk, but that runner was caught stealing.

Miguel Cairo and Joey Votto then delivered two-out singles to put the tying and winning runs on base, but Axford finally got Brandon Phillips on a grounder back to the mound. It was Axford's 23rd save.

Homer Bailey (3-4) gave up five runs on eight hits in six innings to take the loss.