D-backs blank Brewers, boost wild-card chances
Joc Pederson and Ketel Marte each had a two-run homer and Merrill Kelly tossed five innings of two-hit ball as the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks kept pace in the National League wild-card chase, notching their third consecutive victory over the Milwaukee Brewers 5-0 on Saturday night.
Arizona (87-68) entered two games behind the San Diego Padres for the top spot in the NL wild-card race. The Padres played later Saturday. The Diamondbacks remained a game ahead of the Mets, who defeated Philadelphia 6-3 earlier Saturday.
Pederson's two-run blast put the Diamondbacks up 2-0 in the first. Marte singled with one out and Pederson followed with his 23rd homer, sending an 0-1 pitch 397 feet to center.
Jose Herrera pushed the lead to 3-0 with his first career home run, a one-out solo shot to right in the fifth.
Marte, who also walked three times, added his career-high 34th homer in the ninth off Joe Ross to push the lead to 5-0.
Kelly (5-0) exited after warming up prior to the sixth. He allowed two hit singles over five scoreless innings, striking out six and walking none. Kelly left with a right calf cramp, the Diamondbacks announced during the game.
Joe Mantiply followed Kelly with two perfect innings, Kevin Ginkel added a perfect eighth and A.J. Puk finished the two-hitter with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Aaron Civale (7-9) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs, walking three and striking out two. Civale was 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA over his last five starts entering Saturday.
Milwaukee (88-67) has lost three straight since clinching the NL Central on Wednesday. The Brewers entered Saturday four games behind the Phillies and Dodgers for the best overall record in the National League. The top two teams get a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy was ejected in the fifth by home plate umpire Chris Hegal.
