Christian Yelich hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the third inning and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers held on to win their eighth in a row, 3-2, against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of their three-game series on Monday evening.

Sal Frelick had two hits and a run scored for the Brewers, who haven’t won eight in a row since a nine-game winning streak in August 2023.

Brewers right-hander Aaron Civale (1-1) allowed two runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked one in his fourth start of the season.

Reds starter Brady Singer (6-4) went five innings, allowing three runs and four hits while striking out four and walking three.

TJ Friedl had two hits and scored a run in the leadoff spot for the Reds, who have lost four of five.

Friedl doubled to begin the bottom of the first and scored on a single to center by Elly De La Cruz to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.

After a single to right by Tyler Stephenson put runners on the corners, Spencer Steer rolled a bunt up the first base line that Milwaukee catcher William Contreras fielded, but his throw to first while sliding on his backside went into right field, allowing De La Cruz to score for a 2-0 lead.

Andruw Monasterio doubled into the left-center field gap with one out in the second to put runners on second and third for Milwaukee. Singer then walked back-to-back batters to force in a run and cut it to 2-1.

A sacrifice fly by Brice Turang brought home another run in the inning and tied it 2-2.

With two outs in the third, Yelich hit a full-count slider deep over the fence in center to give the Brewers a 3-2 lead.

Rob Zastryzny got the final two outs of the sixth for the Brewers, Jared Koenig worked a scoreless seventh, Abner Uribe did the same in the eighth and Trevor Megill pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 12th save.

Brewers’ pitching fanned 11 Cincinnati hitters and walked only two.

–Field Level Media