AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI - The NL Central leaders have big problems. Not even All-Star closer Francisco Cordero can save them now.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 588th homer Thursday, and the Cincinnati Reds rallied against Milwaukee's nearly automatic closer for a 6-5, 10-inning victory that added to the Brewers' growing woes.

They're still in first place, but not by much. And, they're playing like they don't deserve to be there.

“We definitely have to start playing better,” manager Ned Yost said, after Milwaukee lost three of four to what was a last-place team. “If anybody thinks we're just sitting here doing fine, they're fooling themselves.”

After leading the division since late April, the Brewers are starting to look like fool's gold.

They pulled out to an 8 1/2-game lead on June 23, when they weren't getting much pressure from the rest of the division. They've gone 13-15 since then, allowing the fast-closing Cubs to nearly pull even.

“We're not trying to hold anybody off,” said starter Dave Bush, who lasted only 5 1-3 innings. “We've still got a lot of games to win if we're going to be in position to get into the playoffs. I don't pay any attention (to the standings) at all. There are many more things to worry about than that.”