Reds third baseman Aaron Boone fields a ground ball. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        MILWAUKEE — Tuesday is a planned “bullpen day” for the Reds, which means Danny Graves will start and be followed by four or five other relievers.

        Saturday was an unplanned “bullpen night” for the Reds, which meant Shawn Estes started, got knocked out in the second inning and was followed by four relievers.

        The result was a 9-6 loss to the Brewers before a crowd of 20,053 at Miller Park.

        “It was one of those nights where I couldn't get the ball below their belts,” Estes said. “I couldn't throw my curveball for a strike. Nothing was really working.”

Jeffrey Hammonds hits a two-run double. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Milwaukee, the National League's worst team, has taken four of five from the Reds.

        The Reds, since starting 7-0 against the Brewers, have gone 5-6 against them.

        The offensive highlight of the night for the Reds was Juan Castro's two-run homer in the eighth.

        It was Castro's first home in 363 days. His most recent one was Sept. 10 of last year.

        Castro has nine hits in his past 20 at-bats, raising his average to over .200, at .206, for the first time all year.

Reds shortstop Barry Larkin tries to throw out Brewers' Glendon Rusch at first base. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        “He's worked really hard at it,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “He's taking what he's worked on into the game.”

        “I'm getting more at-bats,” Castro said. “That's the key. You get more at-bats, it makes it easier.”

        Estes, the left-hander obtained in the trade from the New York Mets, was coming off his first victory as a Red, a 5-3 win over St. Louis.

        He struggled from the start Saturday, allowing a leadoff single to Eric Young in the first. Young stole second and third, then Jeffrey Hammonds walked. Richie Sexson got both runners in with a double to left.

Shawn Estes wipes his face between batters. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        The Reds took a 3-2 lead in the second on Jason LaRue's three-run homer to left-center.

        But Estes couldn't hold it.

        The Brewers scored three runs in the second and were threatening to score more, when Boone went and got Estes.

        His stuff wasn't good enough to allow him to continue.

        “That's what I saw,” Boone said.

        Jose Rijo got the final out of the inning.

        Estes went 1 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out none.

        Rijo gave up an unearned run in the third. That was the most successful inning by a Red through the first five.

        Knuckleballer Jared Fernandez followed Rijo and gave up two in the fourth and one in the fifth.

        Milwaukee starter Glendon Rusch, who came in 8-13, struck out seven and walked five.

        His first strikeout victim was Adam Dunn in the first — Dunn's 146th “K” of the year, breaking Mike Cameron's season record for the Reds.

        Jose Silva followed Fernandez for the Reds. It was the first time Silva pitched since being activated from the disabled list a week ago.

        Silva worked two scoreless innings.

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