Bryan De La Cruz, Jake Burger help Marlins strike early in 6-2 win over Brewers

The Marlins took a 5-0 lead in the first two innings and stayed ahead the rest of the way despite leaving 10 runners on base. Though Miami entered Friday with the NL’s worst record, the Marlins (38-66) are 5-3 since the All-Star break and have won three of their last four games.

After Jazz Chisholm walked early in the game, De La Cruz hit a one-out blast into the left-field stands for his team-leading 18th home run. Two batters later, Burger also hit a shot into the left-field stands.

Burger and Bell both hit their 13th home runs of the season, tying them with Chisholm for second on the team.

The Marlins took advantage of Milwaukee’s sloppiness, scoring two unearned runs in a second-inning rally that began with two outs and no one on base.

After Nick Fortes singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch, Peralta walked Chisholm and Xavier Edwards to load the bases. De La Cruz then hit a bouncer that shortstop Willy Adames bounced before he threw late to first.

Two runs were scored on an error by Adames, then Chisholm ran in the win from second base.

Hoskins hit a solo shot in the third for his 16th home run, tying Adames for the Brewers team lead. William Contreras hit a leadoff double and scored on a Gary Sánchez sacrifice fly in the fourth to cut Miami’s lead to 5-2.

But the Brewers couldn’t get any closer.

Miami’s Trevor Rogers (2-9) struck out just one batter but allowed just two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings to earn his first win since May 15. Anthony Bender, Huascar Brazobán and Tanner Scott combined for 3 2/3 innings of shutout relief.

Peralta (6-6) surrendered five runs, three earned, and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and tied a season record with five walks.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said OF Christian Yelich will inevitably need surgery at some point, but added, “I have every confidence” the three-time All-Star will play again this season. Yelich is on the injured list with a back problem for the second time this season.

“He’s obviously going to need surgery,” Murphy said. “Anything he does between now and then is a bonus. I think he’s very eager to play.”

Yelich said Thursday at his annual charity event that no surgery is planned at this time as he tries to return this season. Yelich went on the injured list on Wednesday.

The Marlins recalled LHP Austin Kitchen and RHP Emmanuel Ramírez from Triple-A Jacksonville and sent RHP Roddery Muñoz to Jacksonville.

Brewers LHP Rob Zastryzny went on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, with left elbow tendonitis. The Brewers recalled Junk from Triple-A Nashville.

RHP Max Meyer (2-0, 2.12 ERA) starts for the Marlins and RHP Aaron Civale (2-7, 5.17) pitches for the Brewers on Saturday night.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB