MILWAUKEE — The convergence of Sean Casey and Richie Sexson at County Stadium wasn't the kind of one-on-one confrontation you'd see at the Summer Olympics, as in fencing or boxing. But it was worth watching nevertheless. And it could stay that way for years.

        What makes it better is that they're buddies who happen to play for opposing teams. They both excelled Tuesday night, as Casey launched a two-run homer and Sexson drilled a two-run double for the Milwaukee Brewers, who ended the Reds' three-game winning streak with a 7-4 victory.

        In a perfect world, Casey and Sexson would be swinging away in the Cleveland Indians' batting order. But the Indians, desperate for pitching, traded both in separate deals.

        “We were pretty much in the same situation,” said Casey, who was the designated hitter while Sexson played first base on the Indians' Triple-A Buffalo club in 1997. “He's getting an opportunity to play and really making the most of it. I think he's going to be a star

        in this league for years to come. I think it'll be for the best for his career, just like it was for me.”

        Casey came to Cincinnati in exchange for Dave Burba on the eve of Opening Day, 1998. Sexson joined the Brewers on July 28 in a seven-player transaction that sent pitchers Jason Bere, Bob Wickman and Steve Woodard to Cleveland.

        The Reds want Casey, 26, to generate offense the rest of the decade. The Brewers harbor the same dreams for Sexson, 25.

        Casey was the slugger in this episode, continuing his second-half surge by belting his 18th home run of the year and 12th since the All-Star break. But he deferred to Sexson in comparing their power-hitting skills.

        “He'll probably hit more home runs. He's going to hit 40-something home runs one of these days,” Casey said. “And he's going to drive in 100 every year. He's an RBI machine. Sometimes it makes you wonder. I know the Indians are trying to win now, but they have only a few of their prospects left. Richie's going to put up those numbers every year. It's tough to let a guy go who's going to do that.”

        Just ask the Reds. Sexson is hitting .340 (16-for-47) against Cincinnati with six homers and 12 RBI this year. He also recorded a pair of sparkling defensive plays in the fourth inning to supplement the efforts of starter Jamey Wright (7-8), who lasted 7ô innings.

        Of course, one of those plays robbed Casey of a hit.

        “He's a Gold Glover over there,” Casey said. “I told him if he's going to make those plays, he doesn't have to make them on me. I tried to knock him over when I ran by him.”

        Wright outdid Steve Parris (12-16), who allowed five runs and 10 hits in 4ö innings as the Reds remained winless in four games at County Stadium this season. Four of the hits Parris allowed went for extra bases. He fell behind the count on virtually all of them, including Mark Loretta's first-inning double (3-1) and Jeromy Burnitz's second-inning homer (2-1). Burnitz also had a fifth-inning RBI double.

Brewers 7, Reds 4 Box, runs Ballpark concourse will provide year-round view Cinergy seats will be sold Dessens, Stynes best surprises

LeBeau wants Bengals to attack
Stress, personal concerns led to Coslet's resignation
Complete Olympics coverage at Cincinnati.com/olympics
Local boxer clinches bronze
DAUGHERTY: Run, Marion, run from drug stain
DAUGHERTY: Welcome to the centerfold Games
Ohio computer ratings
Ohio football polls
Moeller breaks into national poll
Kentucky football polls
SAMPLES: Students can root without rudeness
Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball
High school highlights
St. Ursula wins golf sectionals
Cincinnati high school results
N. Kentucky high school results
Russian Rocket hits Gardens ice Friday
Kenyon returns to Shoemaker Oct. 27

• Return to Reds front page...