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McCann sparks seven-run eighth as Braves edge Brewers

May 30, 2007 - 10:12 PM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Brian Shouse faced just one batter. Brian McCann made sure the outing was forgettable.

McCann ripped a go-ahead, bases-clearing double off Shouse to highlight a seven-run eighth inning for the Atlanta Braves, who came from behind to post a 9-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday afternoon.

Kelly Johnson had three hits and two RBI and Edgar Renteria added four hits for the Braves, who secured just their second win in their last six games.

"I hope this gets us going," McCann said. "We're playing OK, but there's something missing. Hopefully, our bats woke up that eighth inning."

Trying to hold a 2-1 lead in the eighth, Brewers setup man Derrick Turnbow (1-3) started the trouble. After getting Matt Diaz to ground out to start the inning, Turnbow issued back-to-back walks to Johnson and Willie Harris.

Renteria ripped a grounder that glanced off shortstop J.J. Hardy's glove for an infield single, loading the bases. The lefthanded Shouse then came on to match up with the lefthanded-hitting McCann.

An emerging star, McCann wasted no time, blasting Shouse's second pitch into the left-center field gap to drive in three runs and make it 4-2.

"I've been struggling hitting the baseball, and I was in a situation to do something and help the team out," McCann said. "Up until then, I had been hurting the team."

McCann felt he should have blocked Tim Hudson's wild pitch in the seventh, a breaking ball that bounced well in front of the plate and allowed Damian Miller to score from third to make it 2-1.

"Anytime you mess up and a runner scores because of you, it's a bad feeling," McCann said. "It was inexcusable to not block it. The ball gets by me, but luckily, I was able to redeem myself and found a gap."

Shouse immediately was removed for righthander Chris Spurling, who was not much better. Andruw Jones blasted a soaring shot well over the head of Brewers center fielder Bill Hall for an RBI double and scored on Jeff Francoeur's single to make it 6-2.

"(Shouse) didn't make a very good pitch to McCann, and McCann's a pretty good hitter," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "In fairness to (Turnbow), it's his fourth consecutive day of work. He had good stuff and was throwing with a lot of velocity. He just didn't have his command."

When all was said and done, the Braves added three more hits and two more runs, putting up seven hits and seven runs in the frame. Turnbow yielded three, Shouse one and Spurling three.

The bullpen blew a quality start from Brewers hurler Dave Bush, who yielded one run and six hits, while striking out six without walking a batter. Bush was struggling entering this start, yielding 12 runs in his past 12 1/3 innings over two starts - both losses.

"I need to have good outings, and not just today," Bush said. "I need to be more consistent and continuously give us a chance to win. I felt I did that today. Unfortunately, it didn't work out, but I certainly pitched better than I had been."

He was matched by Hudson (6-3), who yielded just two runs and six hits while striking out three and walking one - leaving behind by a run after seven innings. Rafael Soriano allowed a solo homer to Prince Fielder in the eighth, and Bob Wickman hurled a perfect ninth to finish the game.

"If anybody deserves to win a game like that, it's Hudson," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He should be probably 9-2. He's pitched lights out all year except for one ballgame. I can't say enough about him. He's been outstanding."

Fielder belted his National League-leading 18th homer for the Brewers, who have lost seven of their last eight games.

"It's a long season, hopefully I can hit a couple more to help us win," Fielder said. "We've got to try to win a couple more series. We're still in first place. There's nothing really to panic about. We just hope it turns around soon."