Brewers move up in standings

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The Milwaukee Brewers gained ground in the National League Central Division with their 3-1 home victory over Arizona Wednesday.

The Brewers moved back into second place and Pittsburgh dropped to third after losing 8-2 at home to Houston Wednesday night.

Division leader St. Louis lost, too, 9-8 to Cincinnati in 13 innings. That means the Brewers are just one game out of first place as they open a four-game series against the Reds Thursday at Miller Park.

Cincinnati is very much in the division chase. The Reds are three games behind St. Louis, and two behind the Brewers.

Casey McGehee gave Milwaukee its victory Wednesday with a three-run homer in the seventh inning. It was his first homer since May 20, and his first three-RBI game since April 19.

Yovani Gallardo earned his 10th win of the year, giving up just a run on four hits in seven innings with six strikeouts. John Axford picked up his 22nd save.

Braun has strained tendon

Brewers’ outfielder Ryan Braun got some good news about his injured left calf Wednesday. An MRI did not reveal any structural damage in the leg.

Braun said a tendon was strained behind his left knee, between the calf and the hamstring. He said he’s not in pain, but he’s still not 100 percent.

He’s not sure if he can play in the four-game home series against Cincinnati that starts Thursday. If he doesn’t play, Braun says he won’t take part in next Tuesday night’s All-Star Game, because it wouldn’t be fair to the Brewers to rush himself back for that.

Braun was elected by the fans to start his fourth straight midsummer classic in the outfield for the National League.

Tags: sports, baseball, proam