Miami, FL – Jeff Bianchi's three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning secured the victory for the Milwaukee Brewers, who took the second game of a four-game set against the Miami Marlins, 8-4.
Ryan Braun's go-ahead infield single put the Brewers ahead 5-4 in the top of the seventh inning. Braun went 2-for-4 for the night, also driving in Milwaukee's first run in the first with a double to score Rickie Weeks.
The Brewers, who have won 12 of their last 15 games, got back to three games below .500 after losing the series opener to the Marlins, 7-3, on Monday.
Kameron Loe (6-4) got the win for the Brewers. With the Brewers trailing 4-3, Loe entered the game in the sixth inning after Marlins catcher Rob Brantly flied out to left field with runners on first and second. With two away, Loe retired Donnie Murphy on two pitches, getting him to ground into a force out at third base.
The Brewers took the lead in the following frame and never looked back.
Marlins reliever Mike Dunn (0-2) was charged with the loss. He replaced Ryan Webb, who began the seventh inning, after he gave up a single to pinch-hitter Nyjer Morgan. Norichika Aoki followed with a double to left field, scoring Morgan from first to tie the game a 4-4.
Carlos Zambrano came in and allowed back-to-back infield singles to Weeks and Braun, which scored the go-ahead run from third.
In the following inning, Jonathan Lucroy reached on a one-out single for Milwaukee before Chad Gaudin plunked Carlos Gomez to put runners on first and second. That set the table for Bianchi, who drove the ball to deep left field to give the Brewers an 8-4 advantage.
"I was just fortunate that he left a mistake over the middle of the plate," said Bianchi. "I think he was trying to go down and away and he pulled it across a little bit."
After Jose Veras allowed runners to reach second and third in the ninth, John Axford came in and got Donovan Solano to pop out to earn his 24th save of the season.
Shawn Marcum started for Milwaukee, pitching 5 2/3 innings while giving up seven hits and four runs. He struck out three and walked one.
Wade LeBlanc made his first start since Aug. 22 at Arizona. He went six solid innings, giving up just five hits and three runs.
"Against a lineup like those guys have, unless you're ready from the first pitch you're going to get into trouble," said LeBlanc. "Luckily I was able to settle down a little bit and make some pitches."
Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton led off the bottom of the fourth with a home run, his 30th of the season.
Aoki contributed two hits and three runs batted in on the night, including his seventh home run of the season in the top of the second inning.
Game Notes
Marcum made his first career start Tuesday against the Marlins ... Stanton hit his 86th career home run, tying Jimmie Foxx for eighth most by a player younger than 23 ... Jose Reyes played in his 134th game of the season, the most he has played in a single year since 2008.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.