Villar's homer in ninth lifts Brewers past Dodgers, 8-6

LOS ANGELES — Jonathan Villar hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the top off the ninth inning, lifting the Milwaukee Brewers to an 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night in the opener of their four-game series.

Villar launched the first pitch he saw from Pedro Baez (0-2) an estimated 420 feet to straightaway center field for his sixth home run and first career game-winner in the ninth.

Tyler Thornburg (3-1) earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning. Jeremy Jeffress struck out Corey Seager with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the win for his 19th save.

Aaron Hill and Chris Carter also homered for the Brewers, who snapped a three-game losing streak.