Rhys Hoskins hit a two-run homer and five Milwaukee pitchers slowed the Arizona Diamondbacks’ offense while recording a 2-1 victory on Friday night in Phoenix.
Freddy Peralta managed his way through five innings while improving to 4-0 in five career appearances (three starts) against the Diamondbacks. Joey Ortiz had two hits for the Brewers (85-62), who have won three of their past four games and lead the National League Central by 10 games over the Chicago Cubs.
Arizona scored 32 runs during a three-game winning streak before being stymied on Friday in the opener of a three-game series against the Brewers. The Diamondbacks had 13 extra-base hits — including five homers — in their most recent contest, a 14-4 rout of the visiting Texas Rangers on Wednesday.
The Diamondbacks (82-65) began Friday with a half-game lead over the San Diego Padres for the NL’s top wild-card spot. The Padres were playing the San Francisco Giants on Friday night.
Peralta (11-8) gave up one run on six hits and four walks with five strikeouts. He has allowed two runs in 21 1/3 career innings against Arizona (0.84 ERA).
The Brewers’ bullpen combined for four hitless innings. Devin Williams worked a flawless ninth for his 12th save in 13 opportunities.
Milwaukee’s Joel Payamps and Jared Koenig each hurled a perfect inning of relief. Trevor Megill walked Christian Walker with one out in the eighth before inducing Pavin Smith to bounce into a double play.
Walker reached base four times on a double and three walks.
Arizona’s Eduardo Rodriguez (2-3) allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. He struck out seven and walked three while losing his third straight start.
Gary Sanchez led off the Milwaukee fourth with a single. Rodriguez retired the next two hitters before Hoskins came up and smashed a 2-2 pitch just inside the foul pole down the left field line. The 423-foot towering blast was Hoskins’ 24th of the season.
The Brewers had the bases loaded with two outs in the ninth before Sal Frelick flied out to left against A.J. Puk.
Arizona’s lone run came in the first inning. The Diamondbacks loaded the bases with one out on Ketel Marte’s single and two walks. Pavin Smith then hit a sacrifice fly to score Corbin Carroll.
