Bryan De La Cruz, Jake Burger help Marlins strike early in 6-2 victory over the Brewers

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bryan De La Cruz and Jake Burger homered off Freddy Peralta in the first inning to put the Miami Marlins ahead for good in a 6-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.

Miami's Josh Bell also went deep with a ninth-inning drive against Janson Junk for his 1,000th career hit. Bell received a standing ovation when he returned to the locker room after the game.

“Definitely a special moment for me,” Bell said. “Thinking back to the good and the bad of my career so far, it definitely makes up for all the bad times getting to 1,000 there.”

Miami’s Trevor Rogers (2-9) allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings to become the first Marlins starting pitcher to earn a win since June 11, when Jesús Luzardo gave up two runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 4-2 victory over the New York Mets.

“I had no idea until one of the coaches told me,” said Rogers, who struck out just one batter but walked nobody to get his first win since May 15. “We were getting up there, so I'm glad that's back to zero.”

Rhys Hoskins homered for Milwaukee.

The Marlins took a 5-0 lead in the first two innings and stayed in front the rest of the way despite leaving 10 runners on base. Although Miami entered Friday with the NL’s worst record, the Marlins (38-66) are 5-3 since the All-Star break while facing the Mets, the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles and the NL Central-leading Brewers.

“We're just trying to embrace the role of a spoiler,” Bell said.

After Jazz Chisholm walked to start the game, De La Cruz hit a one-out blast into the left-field stands for his team-leading 18th homer. Two batters later, Burger also sent a shot into the left-field seats.

Burger and Bell each hit their 13th homers of the season, matching Chisholm for second on the team.

The Marlins capitalized on Milwaukee’s sloppiness to score two unearned runs in a second-inning rally that began with two outs and nobody on.

After Nick Fortes singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch, Peralta walked Chisholm and Xavier Edwards to load the bases. De La Cruz then hit a bouncer that shortstop Willy Adames bobbled before throwing late to first.

Two runs scored on Adames’ error, with Chisholm racing home from second.

Hoskins hit a solo shot in the third for his 16th homer, tying Adames for the Brewers’ team lead. William Contreras hit a leadoff double and scored on a Gary Sánchez sacrifice fly in the fourth to cut Miami’s lead to 5-2.

But the Brewers couldn't get any closer.

“I didn't feel like we had a great effort one through nine,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “I'm not saying they weren't trying. I'm just saying that I don't think overall it was a good game for us.”

Peralta (6-6) gave up five runs, three earned, and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and matched a season high with five walks.

YELICH UPDATE

Murphy said that OF Christian Yelich inevitably will need to undergo surgery at some point, but added, “I fully believe” the three-time All-Star will play again this season. Yelich is on the injured list due to a back issue for the second time this season.

“Obviously he's going to need surgery,” Murphy said. “Anything he does between now and then is a bonus. I think he wants to play very badly.”

Yelich said Thursday at his annual charity event that no surgery is planned at this point as he tries to work his way back this season. Yelich went on the injured list Wednesday.

MARLINS MOVE

The Marlins recalled LHP Austin Kitchen and RHP Emmanuel Ramírez from Triple-A Jacksonville and optioned RHP Roddery Muñoz to Jacksonville.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Brewers LHP Rob Zastryzny went on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, with left elbow tendinitis. The Brewers recalled Junk from Triple-A Nashville.

UP NEXT

RHP Max Meyer (2-0, 2.12 ERA) starts for the Marlins and RHP Aaron Civale (2-7, 5.17) pitches for the Brewers on Saturday night.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras, left, slides safely into home past the tag of Miami Marlins' Nick Fortes, right, to score on a sacrifice fly hit by Gary Sánchez during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Brice Turang, left, turns a double play after tagging out Miami Marlins' Jesús Sánchez (12) at second base during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez, front left, jumps up after tagging out Milwaukee Brewers' Blake Perkins, right, at second base during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Gary Sánchez hits an RBI sacrifice fly during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy, left, talks with an umpire, right, during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Freddy Peralta reacts during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Freddy Peralta, top center, meets on the mound with pitching coach Chris Hook, left, and teammates during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Miami Marlins' Jazz Chisholm Jr. reacts during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Miami Marlins' Bryan De La Cruz, left, gestures after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Nick Saban made Alabama's traditional pre-game “Walk of Champions” through throngs of cheering fans one more time.

This time the coach who led the Crimson Tide to six national championships in 17 seasons went through doors underneath a sign declaring it “Saban Field.” He also made the short stroll with wife Terry and grandson James instead of his players and coaches.

Alabama officially unveiled a new sign bearing the new name “Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium” hours before the fourth-ranked Tide hosted South Florida, with an on-field celebration following at halftime surrounded by his family with ovations and fans chanting his name.

“This is a great honor to have the field named after the legacy that we’ve been able to create here,” Saban told the gathered fans, wearing his familiar gray suit and crimson tie.

“But I want this legacy to represent every player who played, who worked hard, every coach who helped those players develop, our administration who set a foundation where we had a chance to be successful.”

Successful is an understatement.

Saban, who announced his retirement from coaching in January, led Alabama to a 206-29 on-the-field record and nine SEC titles, holding the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll at some point in a record 15 consecutive seasons. The old record of seven was held by Miami.

Saban now works for ESPN and holds an office at the stadium, where he had previously been honored with a statue. He was replaced by former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer.

Bryant-Denny Stadium is named after longtime president George Denny, who took over in 1912, and late football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Alabama's enrollment grew from 25,580 in Saban’s first year, 2007, to 39,623 in the latest academic year, the university has said. Saban noted that football and athletics in general are “the window that people look (through) at this university.”

“And the impact that we are able to have by having successful programs has elevated our university,” he said. “And I’m proud of the fact that we were able to contribute to that in so many ways.”

Saban and wife Terry spoke at the ceremony before making the brief walk toward the stadium.

“Their legacy will endure here at the University of Alabama for generations to come,” University President Stuart Bell said.

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Former Alabama football head coach Nick Saban speaks as the University of Alabama honors him with a stadium renaming, before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama's football stadium will now be known as Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Former Alabama football head coach Nick Saban speaks as the University of Alabama honors him with a stadium renaming, before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama's football stadium will now be known as Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Former Alabama football head coach Nick Saban, right, talks with his wife, Terry, as the University of Alabama honors them with a stadium renaming, before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama's football stadium will now be known as Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Former Alabama football head coach Nick Saban speaks as the University of Alabama honors him with a stadium renaming, before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama's football stadium will now be known as Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)