Gennett sets career high with four-hit night

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers' offense struggled against Phillies starter Jerome Williams through four innings on Saturday. But that all changed in the fifth, when Scooter Gennett knocked in Khris Davis to open up Milwaukee's scoring, leading to a 4-2 win.

Gennett would collect three more singles in as many at-bats on his way to a career-high four hits. It was the second baseman's 12th multi-hit game of the season, and he's now hit safely in seven of his last nine games.

Gennett's shortest hit on Saturday night might've been his most important. With the score tied at 2 in the seventh, Gennett led the inning off with a perfectly placed bunt single down the third-base line on the first pitch of the inning. He then moved to second on a wild pitch and scored the go-ahead run on Jean Segura's single to center.

"The bunt was big," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.

The fourth hit came in the eighth and gave Milwaukee an insurance run, capping off a perfect night at the plate for Gennett. He's now batting .275 in the month of August, over 30 points higher than his average for the season.

"He swung the bat well," Counsell added. "He had a big hit and was getting on base."

With the Brewers in rebuilding mode and Gennett under team control until 2017, the 25-year-old will get his chance to lock down second base over the final portion of the season.

Video: PHI@MIL: Gennett ranges right to make a diving grab

Gennett delivered with his glove, too, Saturday to back up starter Jimmy Nelson. Nelson admitted to not having his best stuff, though the right-hander worked through 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs. However, it could've been more if not for the defense behind him, which included Gennett.

"Scooter made a couple of big plays," Nelson said. "Those guys did a good job of picking me up."