Marquis, Reds battle visiting Brewers

(SportsNetwork.com) - Jason Marquis tries to build on his first win since 2013 Monday when the Cincinnati Reds open a three-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park.

Marquis, who missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, picked up his first win since June 15, 2013 on Tuesday, despite giving up five runs and nine hits in five innings. He did, however, strike out eight batters without issuing a walk.

"Tonight was just a weird one for me," said Marquis. "At times, I was as crisp as can be, but when I did make mistakes it seemed like they were ready to jump right over it."

Marquis has faced the Brewers 25 times (22 starts) and is 7-12 against them with a 5.98 ERA. The 12 losses are his most against any opponent.

Cincinnati's struggles continued Sunday, as it dropped both games in its weather-abbreviated two-game set with Chicago, falling 5-2 in Sunday's finale.

Todd Frazier hit a solo home run and Billy Hamilton drove in the other run for the Reds, who have lost three straight. Anthony DeSclafani (2-1) allowed five runs -- one earned -- on five hits with a pair of walks and five strikeouts over five innings.

"It's not where we want to be offensively," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "We're creating opportunities, but we haven't been able to cash in on them with any consistency. We've got to get better."

Milwaukee, meanwhile, picked up a rare win on Sunday, as Adam Lind's two-run home run helped the Brewers to a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Lind's third homer of the year followed an RBI triple from Gerardo Parra, who had two extra-base hits. Milwaukee starter Mike Fiers struggled, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on nine hits and two walks in four-plus innings.

After Fiers' early exit, four Brewers relievers combined to only allow one Cardinals run over the final five innings. Michael Blazek (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings, and Francisco Rodriguez recorded his third save.

It was only the fourth win in 19 games for Milwaukee this season.

Heading to the hill for the hapless Brewers will be righty Jimmy Nelson, who is 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA. Nelson had his best showing of the season on Wednesday against the Reds, but had nothing to show for it, as he allowed a run and three hits in eight innings of his team's 2-1 loss.

"You are trying to get better every day. That's all I'm trying to do, get better every day and give us a chance to win," said Nelson, who has pitched to a 2.81 ERA in four games (2 starts) against the Reds.

Cincinnati took three of four from the Brewers earlier in the year.