Milwaukee, WI (Best E Casino) - Craig Counsell's pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Bill Hall with the game-winning run and new addition CC Sabathia earned the win by pitching a complete game as the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2, in the finale of a three- game series at Miller Park.

Sabathia (2-0), who was making his second start with the Brewers since being acquired from the Cleveland Indians, was masterful in going nine frames. The burly left-hander gave up two runs on eight hits, while striking out nine and hit a solo homer in the win. He is now 8-8 overall and 5-0 in his last seven starts. He also improved to 4-0 over nine lifetime games against Cincinnati. It was his fourth complete game of the season and 20th of his career.

"All I can do is try to help the team win and keep us in games," Sabathia said. "I just knew it would be good to win a game before we got four days off. I was able to mix it up and get the pitches in the zone and get out of jams."

Gabe Kapler went 2-for-4 with an RBI double for the Brewers, who salvaged a win in the three-game series. Milwaukee is 3-3 in its last six games and enter the All-Star break with a 52-43 record, good for third place in the National League Central, five games behind division-leader Chicago Cubs.

Adam Dunn and David Ross each had a sac fly apiece to account for the Reds' runs. Despite the loss, Cincinnati has won three of its last four games and heads into the break with a 46-50 mark, in fourth place in the NL Central and 11 1/2 games out of first.

"CC seemed to get stronger as the game went on," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "That's why they got him. He's a horse."

Homer Bailey started in place of Aaron Harang, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday with a strained right forearm. Bailey allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four in 5 2/3 innings.

With the game deadlocked at 2-2, Sabathia, with a pitch count over 100, was sent out for the top of the ninth and made quick work of the Reds, striking out the side.

The momentum carried over to the home half as the Brewers loaded the bases with nobody out. Hall got things started with a single and Mike Cameron dropped a bunt down the third base line. David Weathers (2-5) tentatively fielded the ball, but threw low and wide of first, which couldn't be handled by Joey Votto and allowed Hall to race over to third.

Weathers then intentionally walked Jason Kendall to load the bases and Baker brought on closer Francisco Cordero to try and put out the fire. However, Counsell lined a first pitch fastball to right that was caught by Jay Bruce, but the rookie outfielder's throw was up the line and Hall crossed the plate to give the Brewers a 3-2 win.

"I was looking for a strike," Counsell said. "Cordero's a strike out pitcher. Just something in the zone, where I could drive it."

Cincinnati drew first blood, putting a run on the board top in the second. The Reds loaded the bases off Sabathia with nobody out and a sacrifice fly by Ross made it a 1-0 game. It could have been much worse, but the big left- hander got Bailey to bounce into a 4-6-3 double-play to avoid further damage.

The Reds tacked on another in the top of the third. Jerry Hairston Jr. led off with a bunt single to third, but as he was about to reach first, grabbed his right hamstring and laid on the field for several minutes before being carried off the field. He was replaced by Bruce.

Following a single to right by Jeff Keppinger that put runners on the corners with no outs, Dunn's sac fly to left scored Bruce. Sabathia settled down to retire the next two hitters to prevent further trouble.

In the bottom of the third, Sabathia's one-out solo homer to right, his second of the season, cut the Brewers' deficit to 2-1.

With J.J. Hardy at second and two outs in the sixth, Prince Fielder walked and Kapler followed by lacing a double to center to tie the game.

Game Notes

Cincinnati has won four of six encounters with the Brewers in Milwaukee this season and owns a 5-4 edge in the season series...Following the All-Star break, the Brewers will start a seven-game road trip at San Francisco on July 18th, while the Reds begin a 10-game homestand versus the New York Mets on July 17th.