MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Rookie Brandon Woodruff's sunny outlook didn't match his performance on the mound.
The Milwaukee Brewers right-hander still believes his team can make the playoffs even as his team's chances get slimmer with each defeat.
Woodruff was chased in a five-run third inning and the Brewers dropped 2 1/2 games behind Colorado for the second NL wild-card spot following a 6-0 loss to the last-place Cincinnati Reds. Milwaukee has lost five of seven.
"Yeah, it stings a little bit more, especially at the end of the year in this type of race," Woodruff said.
The Brewers were eliminated from the NL Central race earlier in the evening when the Chicago Cubs beat St. Louis. But with four games left, Woodruff is trying to stay positive.
"Oh man, we can do it," said Woodruff (2-3), who made his major league debut last month. "We're going to come back tomorrow and get ready to win these next four games here, and we'll get ready to make the playoffs."
Not with these kind of nights. The Brewers can't afford another letdown when they wrap up their series with Cincinnati on Thursday.
Joey Votto hit his team-high 36th home run and Homer Bailey (6-9) threw seven strong innings for the Reds.
Tucker Barnhart opened the third with a home run and Bailey followed with a double. A one-out walk and four straight singles finished Woodruff.
"Any big innings in the National League often revolve around the pitcher getting on base. You've got to make that spot an out," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.
The Brewers were held to four hits. Bailey settled down after a choppy first to make his longest start since Aug. 7, 2014. He allowed four hits, walked three and struck out four.
"That was good downward angle on a very good fastball and was able to make some nice pitches with his slider," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "A great way to finish the year."
