Davis' power, Garza's pitching lead Brewers to 10-1 win over Padres
MILWAUKEE -- The extra work Khris Davis spent refining his swing is starting to pay off.
Davis hit two three-run homers, Matt Garza limited San Diego to two hits in seven innings, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Padres 10-1 on Thursday.
Davis homered for the first time since July 18, connecting off Padres starter Odrisamer Despaigne (5-8) in the third -- a shot into the San Diego bullpen that made it 4-0.
"It's resulted from hard work," Davis said. "I've been swinging and missing a lot and not getting through the ball."
Davis also homered off Kevin Quackenbush in the eighth for his third career multi-homer game and second of the season.
Garza noticed the change in Davis, too.
"He's finding his own," Milwaukee's right-hander said of Davis. "(He's been) kind of doing it by himself."
When the Brewers traded solid-hitting Gerardo Parra to the Baltimore Orioles on July 31, Davis became more of a regular.
"He was in a limited role earlier with Parra here," Garza said. "Now, he's got it. It's time to prove that you belong here again."
Garza (6-12) walked two and struck out five in his first victory in three starts. He avoided joining teammate Kyle Lohse as the only 13-game losers in the majors.
Garza gave up a single to Derek Norris in the second and then nothing more until Melvin Upton Jr. hit a home run in the fifth. Garza retired the next seven batters and left with a 7-1 lead.
It was his longest outing since going seven innings on June 6 in a 4-2 victory at Minnesota, a span of nine starts.
Garza was on the 15-day disabled list in July with right shoulder tendinitis. He's made four starts since being reinstated on July 21. With the win over the Padres, he's evened his record to 2-2 over that span.
"When I'm healthy, it's a different story," he said. "I'm really pumped up."
Padres manager Pat Murphy was impressed with Garza' execution.
"He located his heater," Murphy said. "When he needed to drop a breaking ball, he did. He didn't give in. He made big pitches at big times."
Garza also had the benefit of a 4-0 lead in the third, thanks to Davis' eighth home run of the season.
"When you've got that big cushion, he knows what to do with it," Murphy said.
Adam Lind went 3 for 4 with two singles and a double and three RBIs.
Mike Blazek pitched the eighth and ninth. He retired Yangervis Solarte on a grounder to short for the first out in the ninth. Solarte had his career-best hitting streak end at 11 games.
Despaigne allowed seven runs and nine hits with three walks and a strikeout in five innings. The Brewers spoiled his try for his first three-game winning streak of the season.
San Diego completed its 10-game trip with a 5-5 record.
A PAIR OF EIGHTS
The Brewers scored eight runs in consecutive games for the second time this season.
A DEBUT
Alex Dickerson, who was called up before the game, made his major league debut. He pinch hit in the eighth and flied out to right.
