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Kouzmanoff's hits grand slam as San Diego holds on for win

May 26, 2007 - 6:53 AM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff's struggles must seem like a distant memory. His latest blast helped Greg Maddux notch career win No. 337.

Kouzmanoff, who hit under .200 for the first seven weeks of the season, hit his first career grand slam as part of a five-run fifth inning to help the San Diego Padres post an 8-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.

Adrian Gonzalez added three hits for the Padres, who have won three of four and eight of their last 11 games.

Kouzmanoff blasted the first pitch he saw in the fifth from Milwaukee starter Dave Bush over the left-center field wall for his second career grand slam, capping a five-run frame for a 7-0 lead.

"Basically, with runners in scoring position, I'm just looking for a good pitch to hit," Kouzmanoff said. "I just tried to hit it hard and put the ball in play to get those runs in any way we can."

"I figured he'd be aggressive there," Bush said. "It was a little cutter, and I wanted to throw something that he'd swing at a little off the plate, or at least down, and try to get a ground ball. I don't know what he was looking for, but I didn't make a good pitch"

It was the third homer in four games for Kouzmanoff, who was hitting .108 on May 17 before going 17-for-37 to raise his average to .217.

"It feels good," Kouzmanoff said. "Obviously, you know, with guys in scoring position to drive those runs in. It feels good especially after a win."

"Kouz is swinging well," Padres manager Bud Black said. "It's good to see four runs cross the plate on one swing of the bat. He jumped on that first pitch slider and hammered it. He's had a much better look in his eye, his confidence is growing, and he feels good in the (batter's) box."

The offense benefited Greg Maddux, who carried a shutout into the sixth.

"The offense was outstanding," Maddux said. "Sometimes it's when you pitch not how you pitch. Tonight, (Kouzmanoff) really picked everyone up. I felt like I survived. I felt very fortunate the first five innings, and felt like I got away with a lot."

Milwaukee rallied with three runs in the sixth, knocking out Maddux, and three more in the seventh off Doug Brocail to close its deficit to 8-6. J.J. Hardy and Prince Fielder each belted their National League-leading 15th home run during the comeback.

"I thought we swang the bats good, we kept battling," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "We were down seven and we stayed after it. Normally, six runs is going to be enough to win you a ballgame."

However, Milwaukee could not complete the comeback as Heath Bell retired all five batters he faced before Scott Linebrink worked the ninth for his first save.

Coming off his worst outing of the season, Maddux won his fourth straight game at Petco Park. He allowed three runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. In his last start Maddux allowed seven runs and 12 hits in 3 2/3 innings of a 7-4 loss to Seattle on Saturday.

Bush (3-5) was rocked for seven runs and nine hits in five innings in his second straight loss.

"I wish I had a better answer," Bush said of his struggles. "I'm mostly unable to keep the ball down. It's something, but I'm not sure where or what exactly is going wrong. My biggest problem is especially the fastball just drifting up over the plate. Most of the time, that's not going to get it done."

Rickie Weeks had a pair of hits for the Brewers, who have lost nine of 12.