Gennett lifts Brewers to win over Braves with RBI single
ATLANTA -- The Milwaukee Brewers had the perfect scenario to snap its string of road losses -- facing an Atlanta Braves team that has the majors' worst home record.
Scooter Gennett's tiebreaking single in the eighth inning lifted the Brewers to a 2-1 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday night, ending Milwaukee's streak of four straight road losses.
The Brewers improved to only 7-14 on the road, but the Braves have been even worse at home -- now 2-18 with no series wins. Milwaukee, still looking for its first road series win, was swept in three games at the Mets before this series.
"It's very important, especially after the series we had with New York," Gennett said. "Hopefully we can take the series tomorrow."
With two outs in the eighth, Bud Norris (1-6) walked Jonathan Villar, who stole second base. Gennett then lined a single to right field. Villar scored as Nick Markakis' throw to the plate from right field was up the third-base line.
Ryan Braun's eighth homer gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead in the fourth.
Braves starter Julio Teheran set a personal high with 12 strikeouts while allowing one run in seven innings. He is 1-2 with a 0.89 ERA over his last six starts. He has 42 strikeouts and nine walks in that span.
"Teheran has been pitching as well as anybody in the league," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "I think we anticipated a low-scoring game, and both pitchers really delivered."
Jimmy Nelson allowed one run in six innings for Milwaukee.
The loss spoiled Brian Snitker's home debut as the Braves' interim manager. Snitker, the former Triple-A Gwinnett manager, was promoted after Fredi Gonzalez was fired on May 17.
"It's exciting. Wish the outcome was different," Snitker said.
Michael Blazek (2-1) pitched a scoreless seventh. Jeremy Jeffress recorded the final three outs to earn his 12th save.
Mallex Smith tied the score by driving in Erick Aybar from second base with a fifth-inning triple to the right-field corner.
WASTED CHANCE
The Braves loaded the bases with no outs in the second but could not score. Aybar lined into a double play before Teheran's groundout to second base ended the inning.
1-1 ON REVIEWS
Blazek walked Smith in the seventh. Smith was called safe stealing second before a review showed he popped off the bag while the tag was being applied by Gennett, ending the inning.
Counsell asked for another review in the eighth after Ramon Flores was picked off first base. This time the call stood.
4 WHIFFS, 1 INNING
Teheran logged four strikeouts in the second inning. After fanning Jonathan Lucroy and Chris Carter, Teheran struck out Kirk Nieuwenhuis, but the third strike was a wild pitch that enabled Nieuwenhuis to reach first base. Following Aaron Hill's single, Flores struck out to end the inning.
Craig Kimbrel recorded Atlanta's last four-strikeout inning against Miami on Sept. 26, 2012.
Carter had four of the Brewers' 15 strikeouts.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Brewers: LHP Will Smith (sprained right knee) threw a scoreless inning with one strikeout and one hit allowed in his first rehab stint with Class A Brevard County on Tuesday. ... RHP Corey Knebel (left oblique strain) and RHP Matt Garza (right latissimus strain) are moving closer to rehab assignments.
Braves: RHP Shae Simmons has had good results at Triple-A Gwinnett in his comeback from Tommy John surgery. He could be promoted in June, providing a possible boost for the bullpen. "That would be like making a nice trade when you get him back," Snitker said. ... LHP Manny Banuelos (left elbow inflammation) was activated from the 15-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
UP NEXT
Brewers: RHP Junior Guerra (3-0), who had 11 strikeouts while allowing three runs over seven innings in a 5-3 win over the Cubs on Thursday, will make his fifth start when he faces the Braves on Wednesday night. The Brewers are 4-0 in his starts.
Braves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz will try to regain his momentum after lasting only three innings, allowing five runs, in an 8-2 loss at Pittsburgh last Thursday. He allowed a combined two runs over 15 innings in his two previous starts.
