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CINCINNATI (AP) -- A false fire alarm couldn't slow down Scott Podsednik and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Podsednik drove in three runs and the Brewers won their ninth in a row, 6-2 over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night.

The Brewers' winning streak is their longest since a nine-game string in 1997, when they were still in the American League. Milwaukee has not won 10 in a row since 1988.

Podsednik was at the plate in the second inning when strobe lights began flashing and a siren started wailing at Great American Ball Park. The game was delayed nine minutes, and Reds spokesman Rob Butcher said dirt that accumulated in a smoke detector set off the fire alarm.

When play resumed, Podsednik lined the first pitch up the middle for an RBI single.

"I just tried to treat it like the intermission of another inning, but I was ahead in the count, so I tried to look at it with as many positives as I could," Podsednik said.

The Reds lost their fourth in a row. Milwaukee will try Thursday for its first-ever four-game sweep in Cincinnati.

"We got some timely hitting, but I was more impressed that 'Po' got that big hit after that delay," Milwaukee manager Ned Yost said. "He didn't lose his concentration."

Podsednik extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games with two hits. He also picked up his 31st stolen base.

Wayne Franklin (10-10) improved to 3-1 in his last four games. He gave up two runs and eight hits and three walks in 5 1-3 innings.

Reliever Glendon Rusch allowed two hits in 1 2-3 innings. Leo Estrella gave up two hits in a scoreless eighth and Luis Vizcaino pitched a scoreless ninth.

Seth Etherton (1-2) allowed six hits, three walks and four runs in 5 1-3 innings in his third National League start after being promoted from Triple-A Louisville on Aug. 16.

Consecutive doubles with one out by Wes Helms and Keith Osik snapped a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning. Brian Reith relieved Etherton and gave up an infield single by Royce Clayton, and Milwaukee loaded the bases when Reith mishandled Franklin's sacrifice bunt for an error.

Podsednik capitalized with a two-run double and Keith Ginter capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.

"They were giving us an out, and we didn't get it," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "If we make the play on that bunt, we have more options than you have with bases loaded and one out. Those are mistakes you can't make when you're not scoring a lot of runs."

Ruben Mateo gave the Reds a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI single.

The Brewers responded in the second with Clayton's one-out walk, Franklin's sacrifice bunt and Podsednik's RBI single.

Geoff Jenkins gave Milwaukee a 2-1 lead in the third with his 27th homer and third in three games.

The Reds tied it in the fourth on doubles by Tim Hummel and Stephen Smitherman.

Game notes

Hummel's double was his first major league hit. ... Reds C Jason LaRue made the second appearance of his career and first start at first base. ... The Brewers have come from behind to win their last six games. ... The Reds have scored one run in the first inning of each of their last three games. ... Jenkins' homer gave him six hits in his last seven at-bats. ... Milwaukee's Richie Sexson fell to 0-for-12 for the series. ... The attendance was announced as a season-low 18,069 at Cincinnati.