Reds 4, Brewers 2: Billy Hamilton hit a two-run homer and Alfredo Simon tossed 7 1/3 strong innings to win his fifth consecutive decision as host Cincinnati continued its recent mastery of National League Central rival Milwaukee.

Simon (11-3) forged a three-way tie with St. Louis’ Adam Wainwright and Zack Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL lead in victories after permitting two runs on six hits. Skip Schumaker finished with three hits and drove in a run for the Reds, who have taken six of their eight meetings with the division-leading Brewers this season.

Kyle Lohse (9-3) fanned eight against the club for which he made 32 starts from 2006-07 but suffered his first loss in five outings after giving up four runs (three earned) and seven hits over five innings. Jonathan Lucroy had a solo homer among his two hits as Milwaukee matched a season high with its fourth straight loss.

Simon helped his own cause with a one-out single in the third inning and Hamilton sent the next pitch over the Milwaukee bullpen in right field. The Reds made it 3-0 in the fourth as Devin Mesoraco and Schumaker delivered consecutive one-out doubles while Joey Votto took advantage a fielding error by Milwaukee first baseman Lyle Overbay in the fifth by doubling home Todd Frazier.

The Brewers finally broke through in the seventh, when Aramis Ramirez was hit by a pitch, took second on a wild pitch by Simon and scored on Jean Segura’s infield single two batters later. Lucroy closed the book on Simon with one out in the eighth as he went deep for the first time in 13 games, but Jonathan Broxton got the final two outs of the inning and Aroldis Chapman retired the side in order in the ninth for his 17th save.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cincinnati is 17-6 at home against Milwaukee since the start of the 2012 season. … Brewers LF Khris Davis (shoulder) sat out for the second straight game, although the team expects him to return Saturday. … Lucroy is 6-for-10 with two home runs in his career against Simon.