MILWAUKEE – Gabe Gross and Geoff Jenkins each hit three-run homers to lead Milwaukee past the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 Saturday night, ending the Brewers’ five-game losing streak.

Milwaukee stayed within a half-game of NL Central-leading Chicago, which defeated St. Louis 5-3 Saturday. The Brewers had been outscored 42-14 during their five-game losing streak.

In the third inning, Gross hit a 2-2 pitch from Elizardo Ramirez that just cleared the glove of leaping Josh Hamilton in center. Gross’ sixth homer followed consecutive two-out singles by starting pitcher Claudio Vargas and Rickie Weeks.

Jenkins’ 19th homer came in the sixth inning, when Cincinnati intentionally walked hot-hitting Ryan Braun. The left-handed hitting Jenkins drove a 2-1 pitch from Mike Stanton well over the center-field wall for his third homer off a left-hander this season.

While Gross and Jenkins ignited the offense, Vargas (10-4) became the Brewers’ second 10-game winner this season, matching Ben Sheets’ record. Vargas, who won for the first time since June 27 at St. Louis, pitched 5 2-3 innings and allowed one run and seven hits. He struck out five and walked five.

Ramirez (0-1) made his first start for the Reds since Aug. 12, 2006, when he lasted just 1 1-3 innings and received a no-decision at Philadelphia. He was recalled from Triple-A Louisville earlier on Saturday and threw five innings, allowing three runs and five hits with a strikeout and no walks.

Ramirez may have fared better if the Reds could have taken advantage of early opportunities. Cincinnati had a runner reach base in each of the first five innings, including four who made it into scoring position.

But a runner was stranded on third to end the fifth inning and another was doubled off second base on a line drive in the fourth.

Cincinnati finally broke through in the sixth when Javier Valentin scored Brandon Phillips on a single to center. The Reds eventually loaded the bases, but reliever Brian Shouse struck out Hamilton, ending the threat.

The Reds tried to answer Jenkins’ homer in the seventh when they loaded the bases with no outs. But Carlos Villanueva got Adam Dunn to hit into a double play, allowing one run to score. Scott Hatteberg singled in a run to make it 6-3 before Villanueva recorded the final out of the inning.

Milwaukee added to its lead in the eighth, going up 7-3 when Prince Fielder doubled in Corey Hart. Braun then drove in Fielder.

Notes: The Reds designated RHP Victor Santos for assignment, making room for Ramirez. … Vargas ended each of the first four innings by striking out the final batter. … Ramirez’s only other appearance this season came Aug. 1 in relief at Washington, where he pitched two scoreless innings. … Gross is 6-for-10 on the Brewers’ homestand.

AP-ES-08-18-07 2224EDT