Thames delivers in the clutch again

MILWAUKEE — Eric Thames has a penchant for game-changing home runs this season.

Thames hit a two-run homer that accounted for the game’s only runs as the Brewers slipped past the Twins 2-0 on Tuesday. Thames has three home runs in the last six games.

“I’d say that’s a hot streak,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.

Eight of Thames’ 12 homers this season have put the Brewers on the board and seven have given his team a lead.

The Brewers broke through in the fifth against Twins starter Jake Odorizzi when pinch hitter Nate Orf walked and stole second before Thames lined a homer to left that just cleared the rightfield fence.

“It was a cutter that didn’t get in far enough,” Odorizzi said. “I just didn’t get enough break on it. Right pitch, just bad execution, and it turns out to be the deciding factor.”

Thames reached base three times in four at-bats. After the game, he credited the Brewers pitching, which held the Twins to two hits.

“Our bullpen has been the hammer for us,” Thames said. “They have been the ones to pick us up, but we need to start scoring more ... (to) give them breathing room.”

It wasn’t just the bullpen on this day.

Brewers starter Junior Guerra pitched five shutout innings after working out of a bases-loaded jam in the first. He finished with eight strikeouts.

“Being able to put up a zero there and not let them score was very big,” Guerra said through a team translator. “Walks are very lethal, especially for a starter.”

Relievers Josh Hader and Corey Knebel threw hitless ball over the last four innings.