Collins 3-run blast gets Brewers off to fast start Wednesday

The Brewers' Jackson Chourio, right, scores ahead of the tag by the Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto during the first inning Wednesday in Milwaukee. (AP photo)
MILWAUKEE — Isaac Collins hit a three-run homer and Jose Quintana pitched effectively into the seventh inning as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Milwaukee (86-54) and Philadelphia (80-59) entered with the two best records in the National League. The Brewers increased their Central Division lead to six games over the Cubs, who lost 5-1 to Atlanta. The Phillies remained 5 1/2 games up in the East over the Mets, who lost 6-2 at Detroit.
Collins’ drive capped a five-run first inning against Aaron Nola (3-8). Brice Turang walked to open, Jackson Chourio was hit by a pitch and William Contreras singled to load the bases. Sal Frelick followed with an RBI single and Chourio continued home on a throwing error by center fielder Harrison Bader. Collins then sent a 1-0 pitch 358 feet to right for his ninth homer.
The Brewers added a run in the fourth when Jake Bauers snapped an 0-for-20 skid with a leadoff single and Turang doubled with two outs.
Trea Turner answered with an RBI single in the fifth to make 6-1.
Weston Wilson hit a two-run homer in the seventh to chase Quintana and pull the Phillies to 6-3.
Quintana (11-5) allowed three runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking three. Jared Koenig tossed a scoreless ninth for his first save.
Key moment
After Wilson’s homer pulled the Phillies within three, they had runners on the corners with two outs, but Aaron Ashby struck out J.T. Realmuto to end the seventh.
Key injury
Designated hitter Christian Yelich was a late scratch with lower back soreness, but is not expected to be out of the lineup long.
Yelich, originally in the lineup in the cleanup spot, is hitting .268 with a team-high 27 homers and 92 RBIs.
Yelich first started experiencing some pain during a series against Arizona late last month, manager Pat Murphy said.
“He hasn’t been out all year,” Murphy said. “He played all those games. He’s really been super healthy for us.”
Yelich was expected to get Thursday off and the goal is get him back by the for a three-game weekend series against Pittsburgh, Murphy said.
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