Rookie starters clash as Brewers open set with Reds

The Milwaukee Brewers hope an effective day's work on Thursday will change their direction heading into a three-game series beginning Friday night against the visiting Cincinnati Reds.

The Brewers bounced back from a 2-5 trip with a doubleheader sweep of the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, pulling within 2 1/2 games of the Philadelphia Phillies for the final National League wild-card spot.

Milwaukee (73-65) won the tw