Braun, Gallardo help Brewers over Padres 6-5

Martin Maldonado homered to cap a four-run sixth inning for Milwaukee and Braun drove in three runs for the Brewers, who went 5-4 against the visiting Pirates, Cubs and Padres. San Diego has lost four of five to fall to 20-41, a half-game below Chicago for the worst record in the NL.

"Definitely not successful enough for us," Axford said. "We wanted to win more. We played some teams here that we thought maybe we could pick up a couple more games."

"At least, we still ended up on top," he said.

That was barely the case Sunday, as the Padres scored three times in the ninth, forcing out the Brewers' closer after Chase Headley hit an RBI single and Carlos Quentin walked with the bases loaded.

Jose Veras replaced Axford and struck out Yonder Alonso looking, but he walked Jesus Guzman on four pitches to force home another run before he struck out John Baker looking for his first save since June 16, 2011, with Pittsburgh.

"It was another game that was hard to enjoy at the end," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "It was a good thing we came out winning it, but we shouldn't let a game get away like that."

"With those two arms, with Frankie (Rodriguez) and Ax back there, when we go into a game like this we shouldn't have too much trouble winning. And certainly we did today," he said.

Gallardo (5-5) gave up five hits and two runs, one earned, in seven innings, striking out five and walking two.

Anthony Bass (2-6) gave up four runs, five hits and three walks in 5 2-3 innings.

Bass has allowed 19 runs in his last four starts after posting a 2.94 ERA over his first eight starts this season. He was given a 2-0 lead and pitched well early, striking out the side — all looking — in the fifth. But Milwaukee scored four times in the sixth.

Norichika Aoki reached on an infield single, stole second and advanced to third when Baker's throw went into center field. Aoki scored on Braun's single, Aramis Ramirez and Taylor Green flied out and Rickie Weeks walked. That brought up Maldonado, who hit his second homer in three days and third since being called up on May 29.

Edwin Maysonet followed with a triple to center, just over the leaping Cameron Maybin's glove. Maybin hit the wall hard with his right shoulder and left as part of a double switch after the play. Manager Bud Black said Maybin had a sore neck but should be OK.

Braun hit his 15th homer of the year in the seventh.

San Diego scored two early runs thanks to some sloppy play by the Brewers.