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Braun's four hits help Brewers top Astros

May 31, 2008 - 4:15 AM By Nick Berenz PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Ryan Braun continues to prove that the Milwaukee Brewers made the right decision in making him the highest-paid player in team history.

Braun tied a career high with four hits, including his team-leading 14th homer, scored twice and drove in a pair as the Brewers won their fourth game in the last five with a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros.

The 2006 Rookie of the Year, Braun, signed a franchise-record eight-year, $45 million deal on May 15, surpassing the $42 million contract given to Jeff Suppan before the 2007 season.

"The last 10 or 12 days we've been swinging the bats pretty well," Braun said. "It's nice to get a lead and tack some runs on the board, definitely encouraging."

Braun and Mike Cameron helped the Brewers jump out early with back-to-back homers in the first inning off starter Brandon Backe (5-5). Braun also tacked on a RBI single in the third and Prince Fielder hit his seventh homer of the season to give the Brewers a 5-1 lead after five innings.

"Two homers in the first made me feel pretty good because (Backe) is a real competitor and he always seems to throw good games against us," Brewers manager Ned Yost said.

The suddenly struggling Astros have lost four of their last five games and scored a total of four runs over their last three games.

"We're a good offensive team that just got shut down three days in a row," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. "When you play at such a high level for such a long time, you're going to have some low spots and this is a low spot."

Milwaukee starter Manny Parra (3-2) kept the Astros' bats quiet over six innings, giving up just one run and striking out six.

"When they jump out like that, it puts everyone in the mindset that we're going to do good things today," Parra said. "Anytime you go out there with a lead, you're able to pitch more confidently, and it's all about momentum."

Parra bounced back from one of his worst outings of the season Sunday when he lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs in Washington.

Backe, who was coming off a 7 1/3-inning victory over the Phillies last Friday, gave up five runs and five hits - including three homers - and a walk in five innings.

"I didn't have great stuff but I didn't have bad enough stuff to give up five runs in five innings," Backe said. "It's been seven days since my last start, and I'm not using that as an excuse, but sometimes you're not as sharp as you usually are."

Lance Berkman went 2-for-4 and rookie J.R. Towles went 1-for-2 with a walk and the lone RBI for the Astros. Miguel Tejada went hitless to snap his 13-game hitting streak.

"Right now, we're not measuring up well, but we'll get it going," Cooper said.