Bell's 3-run homer in 7th inning helps lift Marlins past Brewers 7-3
Josh Bell hit a three-run homer to cap a five-run rally in the seventh inning that lifted the Miami Marlins to a 7-3 comeback victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night.
"It feels good," said Bell, who homered for the fourth consecutive game. "For the most part, I feel I'm on time. I feel like I can do damage on mistakes and not chase out of the zone quite as much. Hopefully I can continue to hammer down these feels and then make sure I don't lose them."
Pinch-hitter Emmanuel Rivera opened the seventh with a triple. Vidal Bruján walked and Nick Fortes reached on a bunt single that pitcher Jared Koenig couldn't corral, scoring Rivera to tie it at 3.
Xavier Reynolds advanced the runners with a sacrifice, chasing Koenig (8-2), who had not allowed a run in his seven previous outings.
Bryan De La Cruz greeted reliever Elvis Peguero with an RBI single. Bell then jumped on the first pitch for his 14th homer.
Brian Hoeing (1-2) threw three scoreless innings in relief for the victory.
The victory followed the trade of Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Yankees for three minor league prospects.
"Part about being a pro is turning the page quick," Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. "That's not easy to do when one of your friends and teammates gets traded. It's happened a couple times, unfortunately, already this year. But I'm proud of how they came about the game and the effort. Just a really good overall game despite losing their leadoff hitter and starting center fielder."
Consecutive losses to Miami have saddled the NL Central-leading Brewers with their third consecutive home series loss after winning nine series in a row.
Rhys Hoskins put Milwaukee up 3-2 with a three-run homer in the fourth off starter Max Meyer, recalled earlier Saturday from Triple-A Jacksonville. Willy Adames reached on an infield single and Jake Bauers walked. Hoskins then sent an 0-1 pitch 386 feet to left-center for his 17th homer.
"He's been incredible, in that he's producing big home run after big home run after big home run," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. "Of his 17 homers, it feels like 10 of them, or more, were at critical times. We didn't add on."
Miami took a 2-0 lead in the second when Jake Burger and Jesús Sánchez opened with consecutive doubles and Jonah Bride followed with an RBI single.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Brewers: LHP Bryan Hudson was placed on the 15-day injured list (left oblique strain), retroactive to Wednesday. LHP Tyler Jay was recalled from Triple-A Nashville. Rookie OF Jackson Chourio was out with an ear infection, manager Pat Murphy said before the game.
BREWERS TRADE
Milwaukee acquired RHP Nick Mears from Colorado on Saturday in exchange for minor league RHPs Bradley Blalock and Yujanyer Herrera. Mears was 1-4 record with a 5.56 ERA in 41 relief appearances with 57 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings this season.
MARLINS TRADE
Miami traded All-Star OF Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the New York Yankees in exchange for Triple-A C Agustin Ramírez and minor league IFs Jared Serna and Abrahan Ramírez.
MARLINS MOVE
Optioned LHP Austin Kitchen to Triple-A Nashville to make room for Meyer.
UP NEXT
Right-hander Tobias Myers (6-4, 3.14) starts for Milwaukee, opposed by right-hander Kyle Tyler (0-1, 3.92) in the series finale.
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