Braun, Peralta homer for slugging Brewers in 7-4 win vs Mets

MILWAUKEE (AP) Wily Peralta finally proved he could hit a ball as far in a real game as he does in batting practice. Whether the right-hander will take his next turn in the rotation for his primary job remains to be seen.

Peralta hit his first home run, Ryan Braun added two more and the Milwaukee Brewers used five homers to beat the New York Mets 7-4 on Saturday.

''You don't want to go to Triple-A,'' Peralta said.

Peralta (4-7) has been battling to keep his spot in the rotation and limited New York to three runs in five innings, but was pulled after just 63 pitches.

''There was no issue,'' Brewers manager Craig Counsell said about the short start. ''Really, it was just the right time.''

Peralta allowed homers to Curtis Granderson and Asdrubal Cabrera. Granderson had three hits.

Counsell wouldn't commit to Peralta taking another turn in the rotation.

''We're going to assess it over the next couple of days and figure out what's best moving forward,'' Counsell said. ''We're going to take a little while to talk about it.''

Peralta's two-run blast in the fourth off starter Logan Verrett (3-4) was the first of his career and first by a Brewers starter since Yovani Gallardo hit one in 2013.

''I wasn't commanding the zone as well as I feel I normally do or as well as I can,'' Verrett said.

Chris Carter added his 17th of the season, and Milwaukee used the power surge to end a six-game losing streak to the Mets.

BATTLING BRAUN

Braun ended an 0-for-15 skid with his long ball in the third inning to put Milwaukee ahead. His second solo homer followed Scooter Gennett's shot in the seventh.

Braun has struggled in recent weeks with back, neck and wrist ailments and shook off a 1-for-17 start to the homestand that dragged his batting average from .337 to .312 coming into Saturday.

''I swung the bat as poorly as any major leaguer probably could over the last week, week and a half,'' Braun said. ''The last three at-bats were obviously good and hopefully it's a sign of things to come.''

He hit a no-doubt homer to deep center in the third, then followed it up with a shot that just cleared the right-field wall in the seventh off reliever Antonio Bastardo for his 24th career multihomer game.

''We're shocked when Ryan has a little, tiny, 20 at-bat stretch like this,'' Counsell said. ''That just speaks volumes about what a great performer he's been.''

WALKER EXITS

Mets second baseman Neil Walker left in the fourth inning because of a sore back. He was in pain after a check swing in the first inning.

The Mets will be careful with Walker, especially after first baseman Lucas Duda landed on the disabled list last month with a stress fracture in his lower back.

''I didn't have any concerns about Lucas Duda and the guy ended up with a broken back,'' Mets manager Terry Collins said. ''Any time you are talking about the lower back, I think it is a concern.''

Walker is hitting .271 with 13 homers and 25 RBIs. He missed Friday's game after taking a hard grounder to the chest on Thursday.

''It is frustrating because you are trying to help the team in any way shape or form. I'll let this thing calm down,'' Walker said. ''We have a lot of season to go, obviously.''

SUDDEN SAVE

Jeremy Jeffress got two outs in the ninth for his 17th save. Ahead 7-3, Jeffress entered with runners on the corners and allowed a sacrifice fly to Wilmer Flores before Rene Rivera grounded out to end it.

CITI FIELD WEST?

A group of more than 900 Mets fans filled nearly four sections of the left-field bleachers as part of an organized outing of boisterous supporters. But with temperatures in the 90s and the seats in full sun the entire game, the group became sparse as New York fell behind.

''I don't think we've ever had a full left-field bleachers of the opposing team's fans,'' Braun said. ''I'm sure it's cool for them to have that support when they travel and they deserve it.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mets: Neither closer Jeurys Familia (rest) nor reliever Jim Henderson (fingernail) were available to pitch on Saturday. ... Catcher Travis d'Arnaud (right shoulder) is slated to catch for the first time at Class A St. Lucie on Saturday night as he continues his rehab assignment.

Brewers: Injured relievers Michael Blazek (right elbow) and Chris Capuano (left elbow) threw bullpen sessions on Saturday.

UP NEXT

Mets: Left-hander Steven Matz looks to improve on his franchise best 11-2 start to his career in Sunday's finale. He is 4-1 with a 1.67 ERA on the road this year.

Brewers: Zach Davies returns to the mound for the first time since taking a no-hitter into the seventh against Oakland. Davies hasn't lost a decision since April 29.