Volquez (11-3, 2.36 ERA) was acquired in a December trade that sent outfielder Josh Hamilton - now an AL All-Star - to Texas. Volquez was just 3-11 with a 7.20 ERA in parts of three seasons before the trade, but has blossomed with the Reds (45-49) and is tied for second in the NL in wins.

On Sunday, he learned that he would be Cincinnati's lone representative at Tuesday's All-Star Game in New York.

"Everybody has dreams," Volquez said. "A lot of pitchers want to win the Cy Young or go to the All-Star game. This is one of mine."

Volquez learned about the honor when he was removed from Sunday's 6-5 win over Washington. The right-hander allowed three runs in six innings, bouncing back after allowing 10 runs in 9 2-3 innings in his previous two starts.

Volquez, who improved to 6-0 at home, is 5-3 on the road despite a 2.29 ERA away from Cincinnati. He is making his first start against Milwaukee (51-42).

The Reds have won six of eight, including Friday's series-opening 6-5 win. Jay Bruce scored three runs, including the go-ahead run in the eighth on Salomon Torres' wild pitch.

The wild pitch was the third of the night for the Brewers, who also committed three errors. The Reds scored a total of three unearned runs.

"You have to (take advantage)," Bruce said. "That's how good teams stay on top, I think, and I consider us a good team. You have to take advantage of that stuff. You see it all the time. Little things hurt you the most."

Francisco Cordero, who left Milwaukee as a free agent after last season and signed with the Reds for more money, earned his 19th save in 23 chances with a hitless ninth inning despite a chorus of boos from Brewers fans.

The Brewers have dropped three of five. Ryan Braun homered, giving Milwaukee at least one home run in a season-high 11 straight games.

Milwaukee has scored at least five runs in six of its last nine games and will be trying to give that same kind of support to starter Seth McClung (5-4, 4.15).

McClung gave up two runs in 4 2-3 innings of Monday's 4-3 loss to Colorado. The right-hander has not lasted more than 5 1-3 innings in his last three starts and is 0-1 over that span.

"The ball was jumping out of my hands," he told the Brewers' official team Web site. "I had a nice 91-92 (mph fastball), and could pump it up to 96-97. It just felt like it was coming out of my hand really well. My curveball was real nice, you can look at the tape."

McClung made his only previous start against Cincinnati on April 9, allowing five runs in two innings of relief without getting a decision in Milwaukee's 12-4 loss.