Braun's three homers help Brewers bash Padres

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MILWAUKEE - Ryan Braun exploded for three home runs and a triple last night, and he tied a career high with six RBI’s as the Milwaukee Brewers won at San Diego 8-3.

Braun joined Boston’s Fred Lynn as the only Major Leaguers in 50 years to get three homers and a three-bagger in the same game. Braun also became the first player to belt three homers in the nine-year history of Petco Park in downtown San Diego, where heavy spring air and longer-than-normal fences tend to keep the ball in. And Braun set a new Brewers’ team record with 15 total bases in a game. The reigning National League MVP entered the game batting .263 with four homers and 11 runs driven in. Last night, Braun hit two of his homers off Padres’ rookie Joe Wieland, and the other off Ernesto Frieri. Braun had a chance to tie a big league record with four homers in the same game, but he fell short in the ninth with his two-run triple. Braun called it a special night, and said it’s more fun when the team wins.

San Diego took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but Milwaukee went in front for good by scoring three times in the fourth. The Brewers were out-hit 9-7, and Braun had four of Milwaukee’s hits. Alex Gonzalez added a two-run double. Randy Wolf got the win, giving up three runs in five-plus innings. He’s now 2-and-2. Wieland took the loss and fell to 0-and-4. He gave up five runs, three earned, in five frames. Chris Denorfia had two hits and two walks for the Padres.

Milwaukee has now won two straight, and is 2-2 on its nine-game road trip. The Brewers and Padres will play each other again tonight. Right-hander Shaun Marcum will face San Diego right-hander Edinson Volquez.

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Ryan Braun says he appreciates the special night he had in San Diego, when he belted three homers and a triple in the Milwaukee Brewers’ five-run victory over the Padres. But Braun said it was “just one night” – and he still has to deal with the inconsistency both he and the Brewers have had at the plate this season. Braun set a new Brewers’ record with 15 total bases with his first career three-homer game. And had he went yard instead of tripled in his final at-bat, Braun would have been the 16th Major League player to hit four homers in a game. Ironically, his manager Ron Roenicke said before the game that he endorsed the idea of moving in the fences at Petco Park – something the Padres are talking about doing next year. Braun said he and the Brewers got a few breaks – and he hopes a night like Monday can turn Milwaukee’s luck and momentum around. After a winter full of drug allegations, Braun said he knew coming in that he would try too hard – and he would fight it all year. He says his biggest challenge is to be disciplined at the plate. And as long as he can swing at strikes, Braun says he’ll have success eventually. The Brewers are one game below .500 at 11-12, and they’ll play at San Diego again tonight. Right-hander Shaun Marcum faces Padres’ right-hander Edinson Volquez.

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