Brewers 6, Phillies 1
Milwaukee -- Ryan Braun's grand slam highlighted a five-RBI day, and rookie Taylor Jungmann continued his strong debut season with nine strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of three-hit ball as the Milwaukee Brewers completed a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies with a 6-1 victory Sunday.
Braun connected off Phillies starter Aaron Harang on a 1-1 pitch to cap a five-run fifth inning as the Brewers beat the Phillies for the seventh straight time. Philadelphia (46-72) had been was 17-7 since the All-Star break before arriving in Milwaukee Friday night. The Brewers (51-68) also swept a four-game set in Philadelphia June 29-July 2.
Jungmann improved to 7-4 and lowered his ERA to 2.23 in 13 starts. He was just 2-3 with a 6.37 ERA at Triple-A Colorado Springs before being called up on June 9.
His nine strikeouts topped his previous career high of eight on Aug. 5.
Braun's 21st homer of the season -- which went 423 feet -- was the 251st of his career, tying Hall of Famer Robin Yount for the franchise's all-time lead. It was Braun's second grand slam of the season and fifth of his career.
The Brewers jumped on starter Harang for an early run when catcher Jonathan Lucroy tripled down the right-field line and scored on Braun's grounder to short. Braun originally was ruled safe, but Phillies manager Pete Mackanin challenged and the call was overturned in 1 minute, 3 seconds.
From there, the pitchers took over. The only Milwaukee runner in innings two through four was second baseman Scooter Gennett, thanks to a Harang error.
Jungmann skirted some trouble in the fourth inning, allowing a one-out single to center fielder Odubel Herrera and a two-out walk to third baseman Andres Blanco. Both moved up on a wild pitch before Jungmann got right fielder Domonic Brown on a soft roller. Jungmann recorded nine strikeouts through the first five innings.
The Brewers then broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth. Gennett led off with a double, and third baseman Elian Herrera rifled a single through the right side to score Gennett.
Jungmann bunted for a single, putting Herrera on second. After outfielder Shane Peterson lined out to left, Lucroy walked and Braun blasted a no-doubt bomb to left-center for a grand slam that made it 6-0.
Jungmann struck out the side in the first and third innings. He pitched into the seventh, recording the first out on a liner right back into his glove by Blanco. When Brown followed with a single on Jungmann's 100th pitch, Brewers manager Craig Counsell summoned Corey Knebel. Jungmann left to a loud ovation from the 33,920 fans on a warm and muggy afternoon.
Blanco snapped the shutout with a homer off Neal Cotts in the ninth. The Phillies then loaded the bases with two outs on singles by catcher Carlos Ruiz and pinch-hitter Jeff Francoeur and a walk to Darin Ruf.
That prompted Counsell to call on Francisco Rodriguez, who retired Cesar Hernandez to record his 29th save in 29 chances and his third of the series.
NOTES: Phillies 1B Ryan Howard singled in a run in the first inning Saturday night to give him 1,123 RBIs for his career. That's one RBI away from tying Del Ennis for second in Phillies history. He had no RBIs Sunday... Phillies 2B Chase Utley is not speaking to reporters as trade speculation surrounds him, but his bat is doing some talking. In seven games since returning from ankle inflammation, Utley is batting .500 (13-for-26) with five doubles and two homers. ... Before Sunday, Phillies RF Domonic Brown was 10 for his last 21 (.476) with runners in scoring position and was hitting .378 (14-for-37) in those situations for the season. ... Brewers RF Ryan Braun needs two stolen bases for his fourth season of at least 20 homers and 20 steals. ... Milwaukee RHP Francisco Rodriguez got his 29th save Sunday, and he tied Joe Nathan for seventh on the all-time career list at 377. ... Brewers RHP Kyle Lohse has allowed just one run in five innings (three appearances) since being sent to the bullpen.