Kratz homers in Brewers debut as Milwaukee routs Mets 17-6

MILWAUKEE (AP) — No one could find Erik Kratz shortly after the Milwaukee Brewers routed the New York Mets. Such is the life of a journeyman catcher.

Kratz finally turned up in the batting cages in the service level of Miller Park. His three kids were exploring their dad's new digs. During the 17-6 victory, it was Kratz who sure looked as though he was having all the fun.

The 37-year-old Kratz homered in his Milwaukee debut and Jesus Aguilar also hit a home run as the NL Central-leading Brewers won for the eighth time in their last 10 games.

"It was great," said Kratz, who was acquired Friday from the Yankees for a player to be named or cash. "You're just looking to barrel the ball up, you're not going to change anything."

Kratz, playing for his seventh big league team, homered with two outs in the fifth against reliever A.J. Ramos, who came unraveled during what had been a close game.

With Milwaukee up 7-6, Ramos got the first two outs of the fifth before Kratz homered into the Brewers bullpen in left field. Ramos allowed two more runs before exiting, effectively ending any chance of a Mets comeback. Milwaukee tacked on seven more runs against Chris Flexen in the seventh for good measure.

"The home run was in a big spot," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "It was two outs, nobody on, nothing going on and we went from zero to a three-spot there pretty fast."

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