Braun Drills In 2 Homers Again As Brewers Gore Cardinals 8-3

Milwaukee, WI (AHN) - Ryan Braun lofted back-to-back homers for the second time in two nights and the Milwaukee Brewers took three of four from the St. Louis Cardinals with an 8-3 victory Monday night at Miller Park.

As if Sunday's two-homerun performance wasn't enough, last year's NL Rookie of the Year added another set against Adam Wainwright, drilling in solo shots in the first and fifth innings.

Braun's heroics weren't key enough in the 8-1 rout. His teammates' exploits did the damage, especially when the home team broke out with a five-run third against Wainwright (3-2).

With Rick Ankiel breaking the ice on a solo homer and Braun answering right back with his own shot, the Brewers manufactured five runs in the third, one on an error from second baseman Adam Kennedy. Mike Cameron nearly hit a home run on a ground rule double, while Corey Hart drove in a two-run single before reaching home with Braun on Kennedy's throwing bubble.

Dave Bush (1-4) carried the win with a one-run, four-hit performance through six innings for his first victory of the season. Guillermo Mota took the save as the Brewers went with the veteran right-hander after removing Eric Gagne as their ninth-inning man.

The Brewers, who won their second straight, improved to an even 19-19 mark, three games off the Cardinals. St. Louis (23-17) dropped one game behind Chicago for the best record in the NL Central.

Shortstop Cezar Izturis finished with two hits for St. Louis while Milwaukee got multiple hits from Braun, Hart and catcher Jason Kendall.

The Cardinals take a three-game home series next against Pittsburgh starting Tuesday. The Brewers are also at home beginning Tuesday for a three-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers.