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Marco Estrada gave up one hit through seven stellar innings and Caleb Gindl slugged an early two-run homer, as Milwaukee topped Cincinnati, 3-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Estrada (6-4) turned in one of the best performances of his career, fanning nine and walking two en route to his second positive decision in three starts.

"It would have been nice," said Estrada about his chances to finish the game. "But with the weather the way it was, I was a little tired. Seven innings was pretty good."

Jean Segura finished with two hits and drove in the other run for the Brewers, who have won three of five overall.

Selected from Triple-A Louisville prior to the game, Greg Reynolds (0-2) lasted six full frames, giving up two runs on five hits in the loss for the Reds, who were coming off a series win against Arizona.

Joey Votto's ninth-inning homer stood as Cincinnati's only meaningful offense.

Carlos Gomez was plunked to begin the second and Gindl reached the seats in right center with one out for a 2-0 Brewers lead.

Milwaukee picked up another run in the seventh, when pinch-hitter Yuniesky Betancourt singled, was sacrificed to second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a two-out hit from Segura.

Estrada retired 15 straight batters until a walk to Shin-Soo Choo with two down in the sixth, then completed his outing by setting down the next four.

"You don't keep track of those things," Estrada said. "You just try to make pitches and get out of it as fast as you can, get through innings quick. If you get a strikeout, great, but you're not looking for them."

In the eighth, Brandon Kintzler allowed hits to Devin Mesoraco and pinch- hitter Ryan Ludwick, then Zack Cozart reached on a fielder's choice which left runners on the corners. He fanned Choo swinging to end the threat and keep Cincinnati off the scoreboard.

Votto's one-out homer preceded a two-out single from Jay Bruce, but Jim Henderson shut the door to earn his 21st save.

"When we lose at this point to any team, we feel it's a missed opportunity, because we feel like we're one of the best teams in the league," Reds outfielder Jay Bruce said. "Bottom line, it comes down to having to play better."

Things looked better for the hosts in their first turn at the plate. Choo hit a leadoff single, stole second and then swiped third as Votto walked, but was thrown out at home trying to score on a Brandon Phillips liner to center.

Game Notes

Estrada also gave up one hit and fanned six over five scoreless innings at San Francisco on Aug, 7, and tossed five frames of one-hit ball against Pittsburgh on Aug, 13, 2011 ... Despite the setback, Cincinnati has won nine of the 16 meetings this season, and six of nine at home ... To make room on the roster, original Sunday starter Tony Cingrani was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right lower back strain.