Brewers 12, Marlins 3: Bats finally break loose; Ryan Braun reaches 1,000 career RBI

This was the game the Milwaukee Brewers’ offense had awaited, though not patiently.

After struggling to score runs since sweeping the season-opening series in San Diego, the Brewers' bats finally thawed Thursday night in a 12-3 romp over Miami at Miller Park.

Entering the game, the Brewers had scored only 24 runs at home in 10 games, and had been outscored, 79-64, overall. They were coming off consecutive 2-0 victories over Cincinnati, with all the damage done on two home runs by Eric Thames.

The Brewers broke open the game with a seven-run outburst in the sixth inning off Miami’s bullpen, beginning with Odrisamer Despaigne, who exited with a forearm strain. That rally was capped by consecutive home runs by pinch-hitter Ryan Braun and Orlando Arcia. Braun’s three-run shot off Junichi Tazawa gave him 1,000 runs batted in for his career.

BOX SCORE: Brewers 12, Marlins 3

ANALYSIS:Lorenzo Cain sets tone as offense finally puts big number on board

D'AMATO:Junior Guerra has given the Brewers an unexpected lift

NOTES:Christian Yelich got healthy; Lewis Brinson started slowly

MLB:Live scoreboard, box scores, standings, statistics

Leadoff hitter Lorenzo Cain had a big night for the Brewers, accumulating a walk, two doubles, home run, three RBI and four runs scored. First baseman Jesús Aguilar also doubled twice, went 3 for 5 and knocked in three runs.

Brewers starter Chase Anderson would have pitched shutout ball if not for the return to Milwaukee of Lewis Brinson, the organization’s former No. 1 prospect who was traded to the Marlins in the Christian Yelich deal in late January. Brinson had gotten off to a terrible start, batting .131 with no extra-base hits, but homered in both at-bats off Anderson to drive in three runs.

Anderson went 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and the three runs, with two walks and three strikeouts. The Brewers outhit the Marlins, 13-5.

FIVE TAKEAWAYS

MAN IN THE MIDDLE: Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress has been almost flawless this season entering games in the middle innings and shutting things down to protect leads. He did it again in the sixth, coming on with a man on and one down and retiring both hitters he faced to keep the Brewers on top, 5-3. Jeffress has not allowed a run in 10 of his 11 outings while compiling a 0.84 ERA.

ONE FOR ALL: In the consecutive 2-0 victories over Cincinnati, the Brewers basically had a one-man offense, with Thames socking a pair of two-run homers. Many hitters were struggling to get going, especially at home, where the Brewers scored 24 runs in 10 games before breaking loose against the Marlins. Two well-pitched games gave the offense more time to get on track. “We figured out that we can’t lose if we don’t give up any runs,” manager Craig Counsell joked. “And I did that on my own, too. (The analytics people) were amazed I was able to do it on my own, the depth which I was able to use the numbers.”

STILL SWINGING IT: Remember when folks wondered in spring camp how Aguilar would get any at-bats, with Braun also seeing time at first base? Well, he has gotten at-bats and made the most of them. Starting at first base, Aguilar went 3 for 5 with two doubles and three RBI. For the season, he is batting .414.

POWER OUTAGE: Domingo Santana, who compiled 29 doubles and 30 home runs last season with a .505 slugging percentage, had only one extra-base hit in his first 18 games, with a .246 slugging percentage entering the series. “I’m sure Domingo would love an extra-base hit,” Counsell said. “It stands out at the start of the season. I promise you he’s going to get a bunch of extra-base hits. They’re coming. He’s scuffling a little bit out of the gate. He scuffled a little bit out of the gate last year (.195 batting average in April but with four doubles and five homers). The last couple of days, there’s been some hard contact. So, I really believe it’s coming.” It didn’t come on this night as Santana went 0 for 3 with two walks.

SALADINO PURCHASED FROM WHITE SOX: During the game, the Brewers announced they acquired utility player Tyler Saladino from the Chicago White Sox for cash. The Sox needed to clear a roster spot after acquiring outfielder Trayce Thompson from Oakland. Saladino was playing in the majors but the Brewers optioned him to Class AAA Colorado Springs. In 246 games for Chicago since 2015, Saladino batted .231 with a .281 OBP. “He's a quality infielder with major-league experience who has the ability to be a premium defender. He has positional versatility and we will play him at a variety of positions in Triple-A,” general manager David Stearns said. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Brewers designated for assignment right-hander Alec Asher, who had been claimed off waivers from the Dodgers two days earlier.

RECORD

This year: 11-9.

Last year: 9-11.

ATTENDANCE

Thursday: 26,087

This year: 358,960 (32,633 avg.)

Last year: 332,332 (30,212 avg.)

COMING UP

Friday: Brewers vs. Marlins, 7:10 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Jhoulys Chacín (0-1, 5.60) vs. Miami RHP Trevor Richards (0-1, 4.70). TV: FS Wisconsin Plus. Radio: 620-AM.