Pitcher's pinch-hit slam lifts Cincinnati MLB REDS 12, BREWERS 3

Reliever Michael CINCINNATI — Lorenzen hit the second grand slam by a Reds pitcher in a week, and Cincinnati pulled away to a 12-3 victory Saturday that ended its seven-game losing streak against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Lorenzen’s pinch-hit grand slam off Jacob Barnes in the seventh completed an eight-run rally — Cincinnati’s biggest of the season. Lorenzen’s fifth career homer drew a curtain call from the crowd of 24,640.

The reliever has homered in his last three at-bats. He also connected Friday during Milwaukee’s 8-2 win. One week earlier, Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani hit a slam off the Cubs’ Brian Duensing at Great American Ball Park.

Tyler Mahle struck out a careerhigh 12 batters in 5⅔ innings, three shy of the Reds’ rookie record.

David Hernandez (3-0) pitched the top of the seventh. The Reds fanned 18 batters, a club record for a nine-inning game.

The Brewers’ bullpen couldn’t hold a one-run lead in the seventh. Cincinnati’s first eight batters reached safely against three relievers, with LHP Mike Zagurski (0-1) taking the loss in his first major league appearance since 2013.

With the game out of hand, Milwaukee catcher Erik Kratz moved to the mound for the eighth inning — his third career pitching appearance — and gave up a pair of runs.

Eric Thames homered off Mahle, his 14th home run in 22 games against Cincinnati.