Brewers' bats quiet in 4-1 loss to Phillies
MILWAUKEE --Zach Eflin has made all the difference for the Philadelphia Phillies against the National League's top team.
Rhys Hoskins and Andrew Knapp hit home runs and Eflin beat the Milwaukee Brewers for the second time in a week, helping the Phillies strand 15 runners in a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Philadelphia is 2-3 against NL-leading Milwaukee this season, allowing 37 runs over the three losses. Both victories have been pitched -- and pitched well -- by Eflin.
"Very efficient, very poised," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said of his starter.
Eflin (4-2) gave up one run in five innings.
"I kind of got in a little funk in the first inning but was able to put that behind me and put up four solid frames after that," Eflin said.
He was removed for a pinch-hitter in the sixth after throwing only 73 pitches.
"Obviously, if his spot doesn't come up in the lineup there, we send him back out and try to get more length out of him because he was that good today," Kapler said.
Milwaukee scored 13 runs against the Phillies in a win Friday night before being stymied by Eflin and four relievers. Hector Neris pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 13 chances.
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The Brewers scored in the first on Travis Shaw's single.
Hoskins hit a towering home run in the fourth off the window of a restaurant on Miller Park's third level to tie it. Junior Guerra (3-5) had retired eight in a row before Hoskins, who also doubled, singled and walked, hit his ninth homer.
"Obviously, he set the tone with the big home run to left field," Kapler said. "It is incredibly important for us to have him swinging the bat like he is."
The Phillies took the lead in the fifth on Knapp's leadoff homer to straightaway center.
"I am not trying to go and hit home runs," Knapp said. "That is not who I am, but it is nice to pop one every once in a while."
Eflin gave up three hits, struck out six and walked one. He helped his cause by picking off Lorenzo Cain at first base with one out in the fourth.
Philadelphia extended its lead in the sixth when J.P. Crawford drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk from reliever Boone Logan -- Milwaukee pitchers walked a season-high 10. Cesar Hernandez followed with an infield single.
"Too many walks, period," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said. "The walks are going to bite you for sure."
DONE DEAL
The Brewers sent 22-year-old infielder Wendell Rijo to the New York Yankees to complete the May 25th trade for catcher Erik Kratz. Rijo had been playing with Double-A Biloxi in the Brewers' minor league system.
PATIENCE PAYS OFF
Crawford struck out twice but drew three walks. "J.P. Crawford saw 40 pitches today," Kapler said. "I'll repeat that. J.P. Crawford saw 40 pitches."
LOGAN STRUGGLING
Brewers' left-handed reliever Boone Logan continues to struggle to get lefties out in key situations. "This is his job and it has to be his role to get these outs," Counsell said.
EXCLUSIVE CLUB
Ryan Braun collected his 200th career stolen base in the fifth inning, making the Brewers' outfielder the only active player with at least 300 home runs and 200 steals.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: Placed RHP Luis Garcia on 10-day disabled list with a strained right wrist and optioned RHP Mark Leiter Jr. to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Recalled RHPs Yacksel Rios and Jake Thompson from Lehigh Valley.
Brewers: 2B Jonathan Villar returned after missing two consecutive games with a calf injury.
UP NEXT
Phillies: Aaron Nola (8-2) takes the mound in the three-game series finale. Nola is 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA in four career starts against the Brewers.
Brewers: Chase Anderson (5-5) is 1-2 with a 5.85 ERA in four career starts against the Phillies. He has not faced Philadelphia since earning a 4-1 victory on June 2, 2016, at Citizens Bank Park.