Some timely hits, six shutout innings by Guerra leads Brewers win over Mets

NEW YORK _ Since coming off the disabled list, Junior Guerra has been just what the doctor ordered for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Pun intended.

Guerra delivered six shutout innings in his second start since returning from six weeks on the sidelines with a calf strain and the offense broke through with some clutch hits after two sluggish games to lead the Brewers to a 7-1 victory Wednesday evening at Citi Field.

It was only the third win in 10 games for the first-place Brewers and first in this series after the Mets captured the previous two games.

Guerra allowed only four hits over his six innings of work to go with three walks and four strikeouts, allowing him to record his first victory of 2017. In two games back from the disabled list, he has surrendered only seven hits and one run in 11 2/3 innings.

There was talk before the game about Eric Sogard's amazing ability to work pitchers for walks as well as Eric Thames having moved past his leg issues, and more evidence was presented immediately. Sogard led off the game with a walk from Jacob deGrom and Thames followed by blasting a 1-2 changeup out to right for a home run.

The 436-foot drive was Thames' 14th home run of the season but his first since May 9 against Boston's Drew Pomeranz.

And the Brewers kept coming at deGrom. Keon Broxton led off the second with a home run to left. In the fourth, the Brewers' first five hitters reached base during a four-run rally that made it 7-0.

Sogard and Thames were sparks for that rally as well, with Sogard drawing a one-out walk and Thames lacing a double into the right-field corner. Jesus Aguilar followed with a drive to right-center that caromed off the glove of diving Curtis Grandson for a RBI double.

After an intentional walk to Travis Shaw, Hernan Perez ripped a single up the middle to send home two more runs. A deGrom wild pitch moved up the runners and Manny Pina made it 7-0 with a RBI groundout to short.

The seven runs allowed by deGrom in only four innings matched the second-highest total of his career. Thames and Sogard each reached base four times atop the Brewers lineup.

A run-scoring double by Michael Conforto with two down in the bottom of the ninth prevented the Brewers from recording their second shutout of the season.