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Braun hits two homers to power Brewers

Jul 7, 2007 - 4:04 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Rookie Ryan Braun hit two home runs and Dave Bush allowed just one run in seven innings to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 6-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.

Kevin Mench added a three-run homer to help the Brewers snap a three-game losing streak.

Braun, who was named the National League Rookie of the Month in June, has hit 10 home runs in just 38 major league games since his recall from Class AAA Nashville on May 24.

Braun's two-out home run to center field - his ninth - began a four-run first inning rally and provided the only runs the National League Central-leading Brewers (49-37) would need.

"You didn't really catch anything really special tonight. He's been pretty amazing since he's been here," Milwaukee manager Ned Yost said.

Prince Fielder followed with a single, Johnny Estrada doubled and Mench hit his fifth homer of the season to make it 4-0.

In the second, Corey Hart tripled to right with two outs. Hart extended his hitting streak to 23 games, tying him with Cecil Cooper for the third-longest in team history. Hart scored on J.J. Hardy's single, giving Milwaukee a 5-0 lead.

Braun's 10th home run of the year came with two outs in the fifth off Washington starter Mike Bacsik (2-6), who lost for the sixth time in his last seven decisions.

"We needed to win. We need to come out and play well, and we were able to do that tonight," Braun said.

It was Braun's first multi-home run game in the majors.

"We've had a few games lately where we've jumped out to a lead, but today we were able to tack on a few runs and keep the momentum on our nice, which was huge for us," Braun said.

Bush (7-7) won for the fourth time in his last five starts. He allowed a two-out homer to Ronnie Belliard in the seventh inning. Bush gave up seven hits, struck out out seven and walked two.

"It sure helps when you get four runs before you go out on the mound," Bush said. "I can't minimize the importance of that. It allows me to go out and relax a little bit and not worry so much about a couple of guys getting on base."

Chris Spurling allowed a run in one-third of an inning in the eighth before Brian Shouse completed the eighth inning and Francisco Cordero finished up in the ninth.

Bacsik pitched five innings, allowing six runs and eight hits. Belliard had four hits for the Nationals (34-52), who have lost nine of their last 11 and 15 of 20.

"My fastball was up, my changeup was flat, and my curveball was inconsistent," Bacsik said. "I had all three pitches I was fighting with today. I battled. I got through five, but that's kind of a consolation prize. The first inning killed me."

The Nationals have scored three runs or fewer in five of Bacsik's losses.

"With the stuff that Mike has, he has to be near-perfect with his location and command of his pitches," Washington manager Manny Acta said. "Obviously, he wasn't."