MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are a hit at the plate with new shortstop Manny Machado.
Matt Kemp could be the biggest beneficiary in what was already a potent lineup.
Kemp hit two solo homers and Machado drove in his first run since joining the Dodgers, who pounded out 15 hits in an 11-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.
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— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 22, 2018
Chris Taylor had three RBIs for the NL West leaders, who scored five runs in the second and fifth innings. They took two of three against the Brewers in their first series since acquiring Machado in a trade with Baltimore during the All-Star break.
“You throw a guy like that in our lineup that is already dangerous, and it makes it even worse for the other team,” Kemp said.
Machado went 2 for 5, doubling home a run in the second. He extended his on-base streak to a career high-tying 22 games going back to his time with the Orioles.
“We can have a huge inning against anyone at any time, so just keeping the guys in it and keeping the game close,” said left-hander Alex Wood, who won his fifth straight decision. “I just want those guys to go to work.”
Milwaukee has dropped eight of nine to fall to 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Cubs in the NL Central.
“We got our butts kicked today but it’s one game. We’ll come back tomorrow,” manager Craig Counsell said.
Both of Kemp’s shots came off lefty Brent Suter (8-7), including a long blast to left-center to open the second. Kemp went deep to right-center in the third for a 6-2 lead, giving him 17 homers for the season.
Wood (6-5) allowed five hits and walked three in six innings. He settled down after yielding a two-run single to Travis Shaw in the first.
“I thought today wasn’t his sharpest day but he just willed himself to get through six innings,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
GLOVE WORK
Questionable defense by the Brewers contributed to both of the Dodgers’ big innings.
In the second, backpedaling first baseman Ryan Braun couldn’t get to a high pop in short right with Keon Broxton charging in behind him, allowing Kike Hernandez to reach with nobody on. Hernandez scored three batters later on a two-out, two-run single by Taylor.
Cody Bellinger led off the fifth with a triple after his hit caromed off the wall in right before bouncing past Broxton. Bellinger scored after the next batter, Max Muncy, hit a hard bouncer that Braun couldn’t handle cleanly going to his right at first. Braun, who is primarily an outfielder, was charged with an error.
Regular first baseman Jesus Aguilar had the day off because of sore hamstrings. The team’s other primary first baseman, Eric Thames, is on the disabled list with a sore right hamstring.
Braun made his 11th start this season at first, though he hasn’t played the position much lately in part because of a recent DL stint for a strained back.
“It caught up with us today a little bit,” Counsell said.
Braun’s tough day extended to the plate, where he went 0 for 4 and stranded seven runners.
WHAT A RELIEF
The Brewers trailed 11-2 going into the seventh, so Counsell saved his bullpen and had position players close out the game on the mound. Utility player Hernan Perez tossed two scoreless innings before catcher Erik Kratz threw a scoreless ninth .
“You don’t want to be out there, but there is a benefit to it for later on down the road,” Kratz said.
Caleb Ferguson shut out Milwaukee over the final three innings for his second save.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: 3B Justin Turner went 1 for 2 with an RBI double in his first start since the break, but was removed before the bottom of the third with right groin tightness. Roberts said the team would consider putting Turner on the DL. He had been sidelined before Sunday with what the club called an upper right leg muscle injury.
Brewers: Suter allowed six runs before departing after three innings with forearm tightness. Counsell said Suter is headed to the DL. … RHP Junior Guerra (forearm) is scheduled to come off the 10-day disabled list to start Tuesday against the visiting Washington Nationals.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: Open a three-game series at the Phillies on Monday night, with All-Star RHP Ross Stripling (8-2) making his first start since the break.
Brewers: RHP Jhoulys Chacin (8-3) gets his first start of the second half to open the Nationals series.
