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Fielder helps Brewers edge Braves

Apr 7, 2011 - 3:56 AM Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Prince Fielder went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Atlanta Braves, 5-4, in the third game of a four-game set.

Mark Kotsay and Yuniesky Betancourt each had two hits and an RBI for the Brewers, who got their first win of the season on Tuesday against the Braves.

Marco Estrada (1-0) got his first career win in just his third start in the majors. He lasted six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, while John Axford got his first save of the year.

Jason Heyward hit a three-run home run for the Braves, who saw rookie Mike Minor (0-1) get the loss in 4 1/3 innings of work. He allowed all five Brewers runs on seven hits and walked four.

"It was just one of those days for me," Minor said. "The defense and hitters did their job, but not me. I feel I let the team down because we scored and you're supposed to put up a zero and, obviously, I didn't do that."

Up 3-1, the Brewers got two important runs in the fifth. Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez singled to start the inning. After Ryan Braun flied out, Fielder hit a sharp grounder up the middle off shortstop Alex Gonzalez's glove to score Weeks. Two batters later, Kotsay slapped a hard grounder to right and Fielder scored, barreling down on McCann, who whiffed on the tag.

Atlanta scored three runs in the sixth on Heyward's line-drive shot into the right-field seats.

"I wish I hadn't thrown that ball right down the middle to Heyward," Estrada said. "Other than that, I felt great. We won the game that's what matters."

However, the Brewers held the Braves scoreless the rest of the way, as Axford shut down the possible comeback in the ninth.

Martin Prado started the game with a double to left and two batters later he crossed the plate on Chipper Jones' double into center.

The Brewers, though, took advantage of the rookie pitcher in their turn. The first two batters walked, then advanced on a wild pitch and Fielder singled into left to score Weeks and Carlos Gomez for the 2-1 lead.

Minor got out of the inning without any further damage, thanks to Erick Almonte's double-play grounder.

Fielder started the fourth inning with a single and scored three batters later when Betancourt doubled to left field.

Game Notes

Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens, who is on the DL with a strained right oblique, threw a four-inning simulated game on Wednesday and is set for his season debut on April 16 against the Mets...It was the 10th anniversary of the opening of Miller Park...The Braves won five of seven over the Brewers last season, including a three-game sweep at Miller Park from May 10-12.