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[April 20, 2012]  ST. LOUIS -- Bronson Arroyo worked eight strong innings and the Cincinnati Reds broke loose with three home runs Thursday for a 6-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals that averted a three-game sweep.

Brandon Phillips, Ryan Ludwick and Drew Stubbs homered. The Reds had connected just once in their previous nine games and began the day with a .211 batting average.

The Reds picked on Adam Wainwright (0-3), a 20-game winner in 2010 coming off reconstructive elbow surgery that sidelined him all of 2011. Wainwright is winless in his first three decisions for the first time in his career. He allowed four runs in five innings, leaving him with a 9.88 ERA.

Matt Holliday's three-run homer in the sixth was the only damage against Arroyo (1-0), who struck out five and walked none while scattering five hits.

MARLINS 5, CUBS 3

MIAMI (AP) -- Greg Dobbs hit a two-run double and the Miami Marlins' strong bullpen finished off a three-game sweep that sent Chicago to its fifth straight loss.

Ricky Nolasco (2-0) went 5 1-3 innings for the victory. Five relievers combined to throw 3 2-3 perfect innings and Heath Bell recorded his second save in four chances.

An announced attendance of 23,168 saw the Marlins complete their first home series sweep against the Cubs since September 2007 and improve to 5-2 in their new ballpark.

Jeff Samardzija (2-1) was tagged for five runs and eight hits in 3 2-3 innings.

DODGERS 4, BREWERS 3

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Matt Kemp hit his seventh home run of the season and the Los Angeles Dodgers avoided a three-game sweep.

Andre Ethier and Juan Rivera added RBI singles while third baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. made two big late-inning defensive plays for the Dodgers.

Aaron Harang (1-1) went six innings and Javy Guerra pitched a scoreless ninth, his sixth save in seven opportunities this season.

Brewers starter Randy Wolf (0-2) went six innings. Milwaukee star Ryan Braun was 0 for 11 in the series.

[Associated Press]

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