Brewers control Phillies in series opener
MILWAUKEE -- Khris Davis' solo home run and RBIs from Jean Segura and Jonathan Lucroy backed seven scoreless innings from starter Wily Peralta to give the Brewers a 3-1 win over the Phillies on Friday at Miller Park. The victory was Milwaukee's fifth in as many games against Philadelphia this season.
Friday's performance was Peralta's best since returning from the disabled list on July 28. The big right-hander scattered six hits over seven innings while striking out three. The outing was a positive sign for the Brewers, as Peralta had allowed nine runs in his last 10 1/3 innings (two starts) entering Friday.
"I'm feeling better and better each start," Peralta said. "Tonight felt pretty good. I felt strong and commanded my pitches."
Video: PHI@MIL: Peralta throws seven shutout innings in win
Phillies starter Adam Morgan retired the final 11 batters he faced and surrendered just three hits to the Brewers over six innings, while potential trade candidate Chase Utley collected four of Philadelphia's nine hits.
"We got a lot of hits, but couldn't get any big hits," said Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin, whose team went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Khrushed: Davis opened the Brewers' scoring in the second inning with his 12th home run, smacking Morgan's first pitch to right-center field. The solo shot was Davis' fifth homer in his last eight games and gives him 13 RBIs in Milwaukee's last 12 home games.
Video: PHI@MIL: Davis blasts a solo shot to right-center
Morgan keeps it close: He got no run support, but Morgan pitched well in six innings. He allowed three hits, three runs, one walk and struck out one. He has allowed four earned runs in 12 innings in his last two starts.
"Everything felt great today, shoulder, body, everything," Morgan said. "I felt like I could go more, but my spot was up and I haven't been hitting that good. I'm just looking forward to the next one."
Video: PHI@MIL: Morgan gets Braun, 11th batter in a row
Taking advantage: After driving in Milwaukee's second run with a single to center, Segura scored from second on Lucroy's deep sacrifice fly to right-center field. Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera stumbled over right fielder Domonic Brown while making the catch after miscommunication between the two, allowing Segura to narrowly beat the relay throw and Cameron Rupp's tag at the plate.
"You don't see it a lot," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said of the play. "You make a play like that, you add a run, it turns out to be a big play. How you run the bases is important, and [Segura] cut the corner as well as he could." More >
Video: PHI@MIL: Lucroy scores Segura from second on sac fly
Utley looking good: The Angels, Cubs and Giants remain the top three choices for a potential trade for Utley. Those teams liked what they saw Friday. Utley went 4-for-5 with one double and an RBI. He is hitting .500 (11-for-22) with four doubles, four RBIs and three runs scored since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 7.
"Over the last few years he's been trying to stay up the middle and use left field probably because of that shift. But he's pulling the ball. He's showing his bat speed. The bat speed is there," Mackanin said of Utley's recent success. More >
Video: PHI@MIL: Utley collects four hits, RBI vs. Brewers
FRANCO DAY TO DAY
Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco still is recovering from a bruised left wrist he sustained Tuesday in Arizona. Mackanin said there are no plans to place Franco on the 15-day disabled list. Franco, who could trying hitting as early as Saturday, remains day to day.
WHAT'S NEXT
Phillies: Right-hander Jerome Williams (4-8, 5.73 ERA) pitches the second game of the three-game series Saturday night at 7:10 p.m. ET against the Brewers. He has pitched better in his last two starts, allowing two runs in 12 innings.
Brewers: Milwaukee will turn to right-hander Jimmy Nelson on Saturday and hopes he can continue his recent run of good form. Nelson is 6-1 with a 2.26 ERA over his last nine starts. He allowed four runs in five innings against the Phillies on June 29. Nelson's first pitch at Miller Park is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT.
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