Marlins survive late scare to take care of Brewers

By foxsports
Published

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- After a rare off night, Ichiro Suzuki got back to hitting.

Suzuki had his first four-hit game in over two years, and Cole Gillespie drove in a season-high three runs to lead the Miami Marlins to a 9-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.

Suzuki was 4 for 5 with two runs scored for his first four-hit game since July 28, 2013. On Monday, he was 0 for 5.

"As I've said, this guy's a Hall of Famer for a reason," Miami manager Dan Jennings said. "He shows no signs of slowing down. It's great to see him out there picking us up in key spots and having the at-bats that he's having."

Adeiny Hechavarria extended his career-high hitting streak to 12 games and relief pitcher Kendry Flores (1-1) faced one batter in the fourth in his first major league victory. With the bases loaded, A.J. Ramos got the final out in the ninth for his 20th save.

Milwaukee rookie starter Tyler Cravy (0-5) lasted only 2 2-3 innings after giving up seven runs -- four earned -- to go with seven hits and three walks. He is 0-3 with a 9.22 ERA at home.

"It was pretty obvious that I wasn't sharp and didn't have my best stuff," Cravy said.

Gillespie gave Miami a 3-0 lead with a triple in the first. Dee Gordon's run-scoring single in the third made it 7-0.

But Miami starter Adam Conley was unable to take advantage. The rookie, making his third start because of his team's injury-ravaged rotation, lasted just 3 2-3 innings. He allowed nine hits and four earned runs to go with seven strikeouts.

"Too many fastballs that he got in the middle of the plate and got hit around there," Jennings said.

Conley allowed all four runs in the fourth and was replaced by Flores after a two-out run-scoring single by Jean Segura. With runners on first and second, Flores retired Jonathan Lucroy to maintain the three-run lead.

"I'm very happy, very proud of the accomplishment," Flores said through an interpreter.

The Marlins added a two-run single by Martin Prado in the fifth.

Jason Rogers finished with a career-high three hits for the Brewers.

PHELPS OUT FOR SEASON

Before the game, it was revealed RHP David Phelps will miss the rest of the season because of a broken bone in his pitching arm. Flores will replace Phelps in the rotation after he appeared in his sixth game in relief on Tuesday.

Flores becomes the third rookie starter for Miami, which has used 12 different pitchers who are 25 years old or younger this season, the most in the majors.

"I'm going out there Friday and looking forward to the opportunity," Flores said.

WIN SOME, LOSE MORE

Since the all-start break, Milwaukee has not had much success following winnings streaks.

The team opened the second half by winning four straight games only to follow that with a 2-11 stretch. Milwaukee then won three in a row but lost five of its next six games. A three-game sweep of the Phillies followed, but the Brewers have dropped the last two games with Miami by allowing a total of 15 runs.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Marlins: OF Christian Yelich had an MRI Monday, and manager Dan Jennings said Yelich is fine. The outfielder suffered a right knee contusion and was put on the 15-day DL on Saturday.

UP NEXT

Marlins: Tom Koehler (8-10) appeared in two games against Milwaukee last year and allowed nine earned runs and 15 hits in 10 innings.

Brewers: Wily Peralta (3-7) is 2-2 with a 4.24 ERA in four starts since being activated from the DL.