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Hardy single lifts Brewers past Marlins

Jun 1, 2007 - 4:30 AM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers earned an increasingly rare win on the strength of some hot young bats.

Prince Fielder homered and J.J. Hardy drove in the go-ahead run to lead the Brewers to a 4-3 victory over the Florida Marlins on Thursday.

Claudio Vargas pitched six solid innings and Carlos Villanueva (4-0) and Francisco Cordero combined for three scoreless innings of relief for Milwaukee, which won for just the second time in its last nine games.

"It's nice to get that first one out of the way of this series and maybe relax a little bit and go out there and start playing good baseball like we were earlier in the year," Hardy said.

Fielder's recent power surge has brought him to the top of the major leagues in homers - tied with the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez at 19 - and put him into the franchise record books in Milwaukee. The 23-year-old's blast gave him 13 for the month which snaps the Brewers record for homers in any month.

"It feels good, but I'm just glad I'm able to help my team win and that we're in first place," Fielder said. "This team had a lot of great players. I'm happy to be a part of that. Hopefully, I can keep playing strong and keep helping my team win."

Fielder has now homered in four straight games.

"He's a dangerous hitter that has some pop," Marlins starter Wes Obermueller said. "Unfortunately, I made a mistake to him and he got me."

Hardy had three hits and drove in a pair, plating the game-winner with a two-out single to right that scored Corey Hart from second base.

"I think for a while there, I was trying to pull a lot of outside pitches," Hardy said. "I really hadn't been seeing the ball as well as I had earlier. I went back to the not-try-to-do-too-much approach."

Obermueller lasted seven innings, yielding three runs and six hits while striking out five. He was saddled with a no-decision when righthander Matt Lindstrom (0-2) allowed Hardy's single.

"Obbie (Obermueller) did a nice job," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It was just too bad Matt gave up a run, otherwise we'd still be playing."

The Marlins opened the scoring in the first when Alfredo Amezaga touched Vargas for a leadoff double. Amezaga moved to third ona groundout and came around to score on All-Star Miguel Cabrera's RBI double to left-center field.

The Brewers responded in their half of the first when leadoff man Hart doubled off Obermueller and Hardy brought him home with a single to even the game at 1-1.

"I think the league thought they could throw the ball in on J.J., but J.J. proved that's not the case," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "Now, they are working J.J. away, and J.J. takes what the pitcher gives him."

Hart batted leadoff for the second straight game and could see more action there as the Brewers placed second baseman Rickie Weeks on the 15-day disabled list with right wrist tendonitis following the game.

"As a leadoff guy, I want to get on base as much as possible, especially with they way J.J. and Prince have been swinging the bats," Hart said. "Any time you can get on base for those guys, it's nice to do."

Amezaga got Florida going again in the third when he drew a leadoff walk and moved to third when Dan Uggla doubled to deep center. Reigning Rookie of the Year Hanley Ramirez brought Amezaga home with a sacrifice fly.

Milwaukee grabbed its first lead of the game in the fourth on Fielder's two-run blast, but the Marlins quickly responded in the fifth when Cabrera drove in his second run of the game to even the mark at 3-3.

In search of bullpen help, the Marlins acquired closer Armando Benitez from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for reliever Randy Messenger during the game.

"When he gets into town, Fredi and (pitching coach) Rick Kranitz will sit down with him and discuss his role," Florida assistant general Manager Mike Hill said. "We love Armando. He did a great job for us in 2004. We know him and we know what he can do. We're very happy to have him back as a Florida Marlin."