PHILADELPHIA -- It might have been another return to Philadelphia for Rhys Hoskins, but on Friday night, it was all about Christian Yelich.
Two games after clubbing his first career walk-off homer, Yelich went deep twice for his second multihomer game of the season. His pair of long balls led the Brewers to a series-opening 6-2 win over the Phils at Citizens Bank Park.
“It just speaks to his competitiveness," manager Pat Murphy said. "[He's] not ready to be done in this game."
First, Yelich drove the first pitch he received from reliever Tanner Banks in the fifth inning to the opposite field, over the wall in left. The three-run shot, one of the Crew's 12 hits -- including five for extra bases -- put the Brewers in front, 5-1.
Then, Yelich reached the second deck in right field with a Statcast-projected 420-foot shot off Carlos Hernández to open the ninth, Yelich's fourth RBI of the night. It marked his 12th career multihomer game.
“Just being consistent, being in a good spot to hit, timing good spots,” Yelich said of his keys.
Milwaukee also got a huge lift from its pitchers.
Lefty DL Hall, making his second appearance of the season, opened the contest with three nearly perfect innings, his one-out walk to Brandon Marsh in the third the only blemish on his line. Hall struck out four while tossing 30 of his 44 pitches for strikes.
“I’m just trying to help that bullpen out,” Hall said. “I just went into it giving everything I had. I threw the whole kitchen sink at them.”
Quinn Priester (2-2) followed with six efficient innings in which he needed just 71 pitches to get 18 outs, 16 of which came via the ground ball.
“He attacked the zone,” Murphy said. “The sinker was a difference-maker.”
The Brewers also did damage on the bases, upping their National League-leading total to 79 steals with five stolen bases -- including a sweet double steal in the eighth inning.
It was one of many positives on the night for the Brewers, who won their season-best fifth consecutive game while tying their high mark of 2025 at two games above .500 (30-28).
“It was a good day,” Murphy said. “We have to be that type of team.”
About the only thing that didn’t go well for the Brewers was, well, Hoskins, himself.
After receiving a loud ovation from the 41,546 in attendance upon being introduced in the pregame by PA announcer Dan Baker and at each subsequent at-bat, Hoskins didn’t have anywhere near the success that made him a fan favorite while spending the first six years of his career in Philadelphia, going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts.
But the Brewers did just fine without any production from Hoskins.
William Contreras’ swinging bunt and Sal Frelick’s single staked Milwaukee to a 2-0 lead in the first. Kyle Schwarber’s RBI double in the fourth off Priester pulled the Phillies within a run before Yelich’s 11th home run in the top of the next frame.
“Just trying to hit a fly ball to the outfield, and it ended up carrying over the fence,” Yelich said.
Nick Castellanos punctured a steady rain in seventh with a leadoff homer, but Priester shut down the Phillies the rest of the way.
“Attacking early and keeping the sinker down in good spots,” Priester said of his strategy.
It was just more of the same of late for the Brewers, who are helping Murphy rest easy.
“I’ve slept better,” Murphy joked beforehand when asked what has been different for Milwaukee.
“We’ve got to go on the road and play really well against one of the top five teams in baseball,” Murphy said. “These series are critical. They are opportunities. What a great opportunity.”
Consider this one seized -- at least for one night.