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Aoki helps leads Brewers past Braves

Sep 11, 2012 - 4:14 AM Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Norichika Aoki's two-run double highlighted a four-run seventh inning that propelled the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a three-game set at Miller Park.

Carlos Gomez added a sacrifice fly for the Brewers, who have won seven straight home games.

Wily Peralta limited the NL wild card-leading Braves to one run on seven hits over six innings in his second major league start.

The Brewers' late offensive surge made a winner out of Jose Veras (4-4), who escaped a bases-loaded jam on a Michael Bourn flyout in the top of the seventh.

Atlanta threatened again in the eighth, but Martin Prado was gunned down trying to reach third base on a Freddie Freeman single to end the inning.

John Axford tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his 28th save of the season.

"A lot of good things happened without getting a lot of hits," said Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke. The Brewers finished with only four hits.

Mike Minor gave up two hits, walked two and struck out eight in 5 2/3 scoreless innings for Atlanta, which had its winning streak snapped at five games.

Cory Gearrin relieved Minor and recorded the final out in the sixth before giving way to an ineffective Jonny Venters (5-4) in the seventh. The left- hander failed to retire any of the three batters he faced, blowing Atlanta's one-run lead.

Martin Maldonado singled and pinch-hitter Jean Segura walked before Jeff Bianchi dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Venters tried to get the lead runner, but threw wildly to third base, allowing pinch-runner Eric Farris to score the tying run.

Aoki then doubled to center field off Chad Durbin after pinch-hitter Jonathan Lucroy walked to put the Brewers on top. A fly ball by Gomez plated Lucroy.

"The seventh inning really got away from us," said Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez. "We just gave them outs, and we couldn't get a big hit."

The Braves got on the board in the fifth when Dan Uggla, who had singled and took third on a base hit by Brian McCann, scored on Andrelton Simmons' double- play grounder.

Simmons returned to the Atlanta lineup Monday for the first time since July 8. He had been sidelined with a broken bone in his right hand.

Game Notes

The Brewers have won 15 of their last 17 home games ... Atlanta had won seven in a row in the series, all at Turner Field.