Segura commands basepaths at leadoff spot

MIAMI -- The first inning of Friday night's 9-5 victory over the Marlins represented what the Brewers hope their offense can return to.

Jean Segura led off with a single before stealing second and advancing to third on catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia's throwing error. Segura then scored on Scooter Gennett's sacrifice fly two pitches later.

"We haven't been able to do those lately, and I think that's why you've seen a pretty stagnant offense from us," manager Ron Roenicke said. "We just haven't scored many runs. … I'd much rather have guys getting on base. We can move them over whether it's a steal, a bunt, or whatever and try to make sure we're scoring all those runs."

Segura is 5-for-9 with four runs, two stolen bases and a walk in his past two games entering Saturday while batting leadoff for the first time this season.

After earning his first All-Star selection in 2013, Segura got off to a slow start with a .244 average, 11 runs and five RBIs in 24 March/April games. Entering Saturday, he was batting .295 with 12 runs and seven RBIs in 21 games this May.

Entering Saturday's games, the 24-year-old was tied for seventh in the National League with 10 stolen bases, but he had been caught six times. As a club, Milwaukee ranked fifth in the NL with 30 steals.

"For me, I've been struggling to start the season, and it's good to get hits," Segura said. "As a leadoff hitter it's pretty good. I feel comfortable. They trust me, and that's the best part.

"When you get on base leading off the game you get more opportunities with the guys behind you to drive you in. Get in a good position to score runs, because I have the ability to steal second, steal third. That's part of my game -- running, stealing, hitting the ball on the ground. If it's part of your game, why not do it?"