As they hit the road for a 13-game trip that would take them into the All-Star break, the Milwaukee Brewers had plenty of reason for dread.

Eric Young (7) is congratulated by Ronnie Belliard after Young hit the game winning two-run double off Danny Graves in the ninth inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        They had won only eight road games all season. They had the worst overall record in the National League. They would finish the trip with four games against the Reds, a team they had yet to beat.

        Daunting? It's turned out to be downright rejuvenating.

        The Brewers rallied to beat the Reds 5-4 on Thursday, leaving them with a 6-4 mark on their surprisingly enjoyable trip. Eric Young's two-out, two-run double off Danny Graves in the ninth gave the Brewers a feeling that their horrid season might be taking a turn for the better.

        “There's a big difference,” Young said. “We're getting more continuity.”

        Until Thursday, the Brewers had established continuity against the Reds. They'd played seven times this season, and the Reds had won all seven games.

        They were on the verge of making it eight straight when Graves (3-3) came on in the ninth with a 4-3 lead and got his nasty sinker working. Robert Machado had an infield single off a sinker, and Alex Sanchez singled through the hole at second off another one with two outs.

        Young, who was only 2-for-11 career off Graves, hit a flat sinker where no one could get to it quickly — in the gap in left-center.

        “That's his best pitch,” said Young, who was waiting for it. “It's pretty tough to hit a good sinkerball pitcher.”

        Both runs scored easily, putting the Brewers in position for only their third comeback win of the season after the eighth inning.

        Jayson Durocher (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth for his first major league win, and Mike DeJean pitched the ninth for his 15th save in 18 chances.

        “This game does a lot for our road trip,” manager Jerry Royster said. “We're on an upswing.”

        Richie Sexson doubled with the bases loaded to drive in two runs, and another scored when Adam Dunn fumbled the ball in left field for an error.

        Sexson had gone without an RBI since June 19 before driving in a run with a triple on Wednesday night.

        Milwaukee starter Jose Cabrera had his impeccable control evaporate in the heat. The right-hander walked a career-high six in five-plus innings — four more than he had walked in his last 12 appearances covering 35 1-3 innings.

        Notes: The Brewers are 6-4 on their 13-game trip leading up to the All-Star game in Milwaukee. Overall, the Brewers are 14-28 on the road this season. ... Milwaukee's starters are 4-4 with a 3.46 ERA on the trip.

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