Brewers 2, Marlins 0
Juan Francisco and Carlos Gomez belted solo homers while Kyle Lohse pitched six strong innings as host Milwaukee claimed the series opener.
Lohse (6-7) allowed five hits and struck out five without issuing a walk en route to his fifth win in six decisions. Francisco and Gomez both connected off Miami starter Jacob Turner, who had surrendered only one home run in his first eight starts this season.
Adeiny Hechavarria collected three hits and Logan Morrison doubled for the Marlins, who have dropped five of their last seven meetings with the Brewers. Turner (3-2) yielded two runs and five hits in five-plus innings with six strikeouts and a season high-tying four walks.
Milwaukee put a pair of runners on with two outs in both the first and third innings, but Turner retired Gomez to end both threats. The Brewers finally broke the scoreless tie in the fourth on Francisco’s opposite-field blast to left field.
Gomez doubled the lead with two outs in the fifth, hammering an 0-2 pitch from Turner into the left-field seats for his 15th homer. John Axford and Jim Henderson pitched scoreless innings for Milwaukee before Francisco Rodriguez retired the Marlins in order in the ninth for his 10th save in as many opportunities.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Brewers LF Ryan Braun, playing only his second game since June 9 due to a thumb injury and a stint on the bereavement list, was 0-for-3. … Milwaukee stole four bases in four attempts – three in the first inning – against Miami C Jeff Mathis, who had thrown out 13-of-21 coming into the contest. … The Marlins activated RHP Chad Qualls from the paternity list.