MILWAUKEE (AP) — Alek Thomas homered during Arizona’s six-run first inning against Corbin Burnes, Merrill Kelly continued his road dominance and the Diamondbacks rolled to a 9-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.
Kelly (9-3) moved into the NL lead for wins by striking out seven and allowing just three hits and one run in seven innings. Kelly has produced five consecutive quality starts.
Since the beginning of the 2022 season, Kelly has gone 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA in seven road starts.
After getting called up from Triple-A Reno earlier in the day, Thomas went 2 for 4 and scored twice. His two-run homer into the second deck of the right-field seats capped the Diamondbacks’ first-inning outburst against Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner.
Milwaukee’s loss and Cincinnati’s 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies enabled the Reds to overtake the Brewers for the NL Central lead. The Brewers managed just three hits, matching their season low.
Corbin Carroll homered and Geraldo Perdomo and Jake McCarthy each went 2 for 3 for the NL West-leading Diamondbacks, who have won 12 of their last 15 road games.
Burnes (5-5) ended a string of four straight quality starts by allowing seven runs – matching his career high – in five innings. He struck out three and walked two.
The Diamondbacks wasted no time jumping on Burnes, as the first five hitters to face him all reached base.
Burnes’ first two pitches of the night resulted in hits, with Perdomo doubling down the right-field line and Ketel Marte delivering a single to right. Burnes walked Carroll to load the bases before Christian Walker and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. delivered consecutive RBI singles.
After Burnes retired Emmanuel Rivera on a run-scoring fielder’s choice and struck out Gabriel Moreno, Thomas capped the outburst with a two-run homer. Thomas’ drive off a 1-1 cutter traveled 412 feet.
Thomas was playing his first game since returning to the majors, as the Diamondbacks optioned struggling Josh Rojas to Reno. Thomas had been sent down after batting .195 in 39 games with Arizona, but he thrived in Reno with a .348 batting average and .927 OPS in 26 games.
Milwaukee’s lone run came on Christian Yelich’s RBI triple down the right-field line in the third inning. Yelich has reached base safely in 12 straight games and is batting .422 (19 of 45) during that stretch.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Brewers LHP Bennett Sousa is heading to Triple-A Nashville for a rehabilitation assignment. Sousa went on the injured list June 9 with a shoulder issue.
UP NEXT
RHP Ryne Nelson (3-4, 5.30 ERA) pitches for the Diamondbacks and RHP Colin Rea (3-4, 4.71) starts for the Brewers as this series continues Tuesday night.
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