Closer John Axford coughed up another lead and blew his second save, but the Milwaukee Brewers still managed to pull out a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Brewers had a chance to win in regulation when Axford inherited a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 9th. But once again, Axford struggled to locate his curveball, fell behind hitters and eventually gave up pinch-hitter Pete Orr’s run scoring single. Axford threw 24 pitches in the 9th, only 9 of them were strikes.
Shaun Marcum was in line for the win before Axford’s 9th inning malfunction. Marcum worked 6-innings, allowing 1-run on 5-hits.
AUDIO: Shaun Marcum on keeping the Phillies in check :13
Ryan Braun drove in the game winner in the 3-run 12th with a sacrifice fly. Braun and catcher Jonathan Lucroy had 3-hits each.
Brandon Kintzler worked 2-innings of 1-hit relief to earn his first Major League victory.
Roy Halladay (2-0) faces Brewer lefty Randy Wolf (1-2) in the pitching matchup in game 2 tonight.