CINCINNATI (AP) The grounds crew that had been banging drums and raising a din in the stands all game long lined up and exchanged high-fives with exuberant Reds players.

Felt like old times at Great American Ball Park – 2013, to be exact, the last time Cincinnati made the playoffs.

Now, the Reds are on the verge of going back.

Joey Votto homered for his first hit all season against Milwaukee, Trevor Bauer dominated on short rest and the Reds won a pivotal series for playoff contention, beating the Brewers 6-1 on Wednesday night.

”A team we’re neck-and-neck with in the division, in the wild-card hunt – today was an important game, and we came through for sure,” Votto said.

The Reds are in position for a wild-card playoff berth after taking two of three from their NL Central rival. Cincinnati has won nine of 11, its best streak of the season, to