Reds rally from 5-0 deficit to defeat Brewers

MILWAUKEE -- Javier Valentin had no chance to prepare for his pinch-hitting appearance. He responded with a game-winning double, helping the Cincinnati Reds to their first winning road trip in more than a year.

Valentin's bases-loaded, two-run double in the eighth inning gave the Reds a 7-6 comeback victory over the struggling Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

Cincinnati's backup catcher did not take batting practice, ran in from the bullpen before the at-bat and did not have a chance to swing at a pitch Sunday until getting to the plate. His drive on a 3-2 pitch from Scott Linebrink (4-4) bounced over the left-center field wall for a ground-rule double, scoring Jeff Conine and Edwin Encarnacion to give the Reds their first lead in the game.

"It was difficult," he said. "You have no chance to get loose, no chance to get ready."

Valentin, a switch hitter, is batting .297 against right-handers and .213 against left-handers. He expected the Brewers to bring left-hander Brian Shouse into the game, so he took his time getting in from the right-field bullpen.

Instead, Milwaukee stayed with Linebrink, a right-hander, and Valentin had to get ready quickly.

"I like Linebrink right there in that situation," Milwaukee manager Ned Yost said.

The Reds have won four of six, taking two of three at Wrigley Field and at Milwaukee, to win their first road trip since June 2006.

The Reds trailed 5-0 after three innings, but Adam Dunn and Brandon Phillips homered as the Reds rallied to tie the score -- only to fall behind again on J.J. Hardy's solo home run to lead off the seventh.

"We just kept chipping back," Cincinnati manager Pete Mackanin said. "I couldn't have predicted the outcome, but I'm extremely happy with it."

Prince Fielder (his 38th), Ryan Braun and Bill Hall each homered for Milwaukee, which has lost six of seven and 10 of 13.

It was the 16th consecutive loss for the Brewers in games started by Chris Capuano. Yost had threatened to pull him from the rotation unless he pitched better against the Reds, and the left-hander went 6½ innings, giving up 5 runs and 9 hits with a walk and eight strikeouts.

"I'll see," Yost said when asked about Capuano's status in the rotation. "I haven't made my mind up yet. We're 10 minutes away from a tough loss."