The Tomahawk Times - Hall sparks ninth inning rally, Brewers down Braves 3-2

MILWAUKEE -- it is often said that it is the little things that win ballgames. Bill Hall collected a broken bat single and a big stolen base that put the Milwaukee Brewers in postion to take a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves in their last at-bat.

The loss was a combination of frustrations for the Braves, who fall to 0-10 in one run games on the road. Atlanta's overall road record falls to a dismal 6-17. Conversely, it marked the Major League leading 11th final at-bat win for the Brewers this season.

Atlanta gave Tim Hudson a 2-0 lead early. Kelly Johnson belted his sixth homer of the season in the first against Brewers starter Dave Bush. Gregor Blanco, getting the start in place of Mark Kotsay for the second straight game, followed suit in second, connecting for his first career homer off Bush.

Bush had his best start of the season by far, limiting the damage to just the two runs on the homers over seven innings and striking out three. Atlanta collected six hits against Bush, just three over his final five innings of work.

Milwaukee began to chip away over the final three innings, scoring one in each frame to eventually overtake the Atlanta in the ninth. J.J. Hardy drove home the first two runs for the Brewers. A single to left in the seventh and an infield single off the foot of Hudson in the eigth both produced runs and tied things 2-2.

Hudson gave the Braves another quality performance, going eight innings and allowing just two runs on 11 hits and a walk while striking out six.

With Jeff Bennett (0-3) on in relief of Hudson, Hall started the inning with a broken bat flair to right. After advancing to second on a ground out, Hall promptly stole third to set the stage for Mike Cameron 's game-winning sacrifice fly and a 3-2 Brewers victory.

Matt Diaz injured his left knee while diving for a ball in foul territory in the bottom of the sixth. He was diagnosed with a strained PCL and has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. Diaz will head back to Atlanta and undergo a battery of tests including an MRI.

On Deck: The middle game of this three game series will see Jo-Jo Reyes match up with veteran righty Jeff Suppan. Game time is set for 8:05 PM EST.