PHILADELPHIA — In a clash of the two teams with the worst records in the major leagues, the Milwaukee Brewers took Game 1 of a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a 7-4 win on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park.
The Brewers (30-48) erased a 4-1 deficit by slugging a season-high-tying 16 hits en route to their fifth win in the last seven games.
The Phillies (27-51) scored early but went silent to slip 24 games below .500, tying their season-worst mark.
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy led the Milwaukee surge, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs, while right fielder Ryan Braun continued to torment the Phillies with a 3-for-5 performance and an RBI.
Braun entered the game with a .407 batting average and 10 home runs in 22 career games at Citizens Bank Park.
The Brewers took control in a decisive sixth inning. Pinch-hitter Aramis Ramirez delivered a two-run double to flip a 4-3 deficit into a 5-4 advantage before Lucroy singled him home to make it 6-4.
The three-run sixth sent Phillies starter Sean O’Sullivan (1-6) to the exits before he could record an out in the frame. The right-hander allowed six runs on a season-high 12 hits over five innings of work.
After allowing four runs in his first two innings, Milwaukee starter Jimmy Nelson (5-8) settled down and followed with three scoreless frames.
Brewers closer Francisco Rodriguez closed the door to earn his 16th save in as many opportunities and lower his ERA to 1.55.
Second baseman Cesar Hernandez and left fielder Cody Asche collected two hits apiece to lead the Phillies’ offense.
First baseman Adam Lind handed Milwaukee a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a two-out RBI double.
However, Phillies center fielder Ben Revere opened the bottom of the first with a double and quickly scored when Hernandez put down a bunt single and Lucroy’s throw to first base squirted away for a throwing error.
Hernandez then scored thanks to some blunders by the Brewers. After stealing second base, Hernandez advanced to third on a wild pitch and crossed home plate on a balk, giving Philadelphia a 2-1 advantage.
Revere and Hernandez were at it again in the bottom of the second inning. Revere plated a run with an RBI groundout, while Hernandez delivered an RBI single to score O’Sullivan, who doubled, as the Phillies took a 4-1 lead.
In the top of the third, Braun brought the Brewers within two on an RBI single before cutting Milwaukee’s deficit to one in the fifth with an RBI double that scored left fielder Gerardo Parra, who doubled.
NOTES: Phillies RHP Chad Billingsley (right shoulder strain) will be activated from the 15-day disabled list and start Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Billingsley made three starts (0-2, 6.75 ERA) before landing on the DL after also beginning the season on the DL. In his most recent rehab start on June 26 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Billingsley threw five innings of one-run ball and struck out four. … Brewers RHP Wily Peralta (sore left side) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Monday. “It went well,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Big day for him, for sure.” Peralta, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 25, will throw again on Thursday before Milwaukee formalizes its plan for the right-hander moving forward. … Pete Mackanin will remain the Phillies’ interim manager for at least the four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, team president Pat Gillick said Monday. Ryne Sandberg unexpectedly resigned as manager last week. “We haven’t made a decision yet on what Pete’s status is going to be,” Gillick said. “We’ll probably make an announcement later in the week.” … Brewers OF Khris Davis (torn meniscus in right knee) will begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday at Low Class A Wisconsin. “We’re probably looking at five days,” Counsell said of Davis’ return to the Brewers. “Not totally in pen but that’s what we’re targeting.” Davis went on the 15-day disabled list May 31 and underwent arthroscopic surgery June 2.
