JOE KAY
AP Baseball Writer

CINCINNATI (AP) — Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun left a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday with spasms in his lower back.

Braun struck out swinging in the first and played right field in the bottom half of the inning. He was replaced in the field by Logan Schafer for the second inning.

Braun has been one of the Brewers’ most consistent hitters lately. He had an eight-game hitting streak snapped during a 4-2 loss on Friday night. Braun is batting .289 with 11 homers and a team-high 49 RBIs.

Braun missed 14 games in May because of a strained right oblique. He’s started 68 games, including one as a designated hitter.

The NL Central leaders opened the day with a 51-36 record that was the best in the league.

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