MILWAUKEE, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Craig Counsell's three-run homer finished off an eight-run second Wednesday and the Milwaukee Brewers went on to crush Cincinnati 13-1.
The Brewers produced 19 hits and had a 13-0 lead through five innings.
Despite the setback, Cincinnati saw its magic number for clinching the National League Central title reduced to three when St. Louis lost to Pittsburgh earlier in the evening.
Milwaukee sent 12 men to the plate in the second, an inning that featured a two-run double by Casey McGehee and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Prince Fielder.
Casey Hart added a two-run homer in the third and McGehee had a two-run double in the fourth.
The home run by Counsell was his second of the year and only the 41st in a career that began 15 years ago.
Randy Wolf (13-11) picked up the easy win by holding the Reds to a run on four hits in six innings.
Johnny Cueto (13-11) retired only one man in the second before being replaced. He was torched for eight runs on eight hits in 1 1/3 innings.
