Florida’s Josh Johnson hits three-run homer, works into eighth for 4-3 win over Brewers

Johnson hits three-run homer, works into eighth

MIAMI — Josh Johnson hit a three-run shot for his first career home run and pitched into the eighth inning Thursday night, leading the Florida Marlins to a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

John Baker had RBI single in a four-run fourth for the Marlins, who took three of four from the NL Central-leading Brewers.

Johnson (5-1) allowed two runs and five hits in 7 2-3 innings. He walked one, struck out eight and hit a batter in earning his first home victory since April 12.

He connected off Dave Bush (3-2) in the fourth to give Florida a 4-1 lead.

Jorge Cantu led off with a double into the left-field corner. He held at second when Jeremy Hermida reached on an infield hit to short. After Cantu took third on Dan Uggla’s fly out to deep center, Baker lined a run-scoring to center to tie it at 1.

After an out, Johnson hit a pitch over the wall in straightaway center. His homer was the first by a Marlins pitcher since Dontrelle Willis hit one against Atlanta on Aug. 29, 2007.

Johnson gave way to Dan Meyer with two outs and a runner on first in the eighth. Meyer promptly gave up Prince Fielder’s 13th home run, a two-run drive that cut Florida’s lead to 4-3.

Matt Lindstrom pitched a scoreless ninth for his 11th save in 13 opportunities.

Bush (3-2) gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Fielder’s run-scoring triple gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Fielder finished with three hits.

J.J. Hardy opened the fourth with a bloop single to center and advanced to second on Ryan Braun’s groundout. Fielder then hit a liner to right, and Hermida charged but failed to make the catch. The ball rolled past Hermida allowing Fielder to reach third.