Ryan Braun’s homer helps Randy Wolf end drought against Atlanta, Brewers beat Braves 9-3

Braun, Wolf lead Brewers past Braves, 9-3

ATLANTA — Ryan Braun’s two-run homer helped give Milwaukee an early lead, Randy Wolf earned his first win over Atlanta in seven years and the Brewers beat the Braves 9-3 on Friday night.

Wolf (7-8) allowed seven hits and three runs in six innings for his first win over the Braves since Sept. 9, 2003, also at Turner Field. Wolf improved to 5-12 in his career against Atlanta.

Wolf outlasted Tommy Hanson (8-6), who gave up six hits and four runs, three earned, in five innings.

Atlanta’s Chipper Jones sustained a mild left hamstring strain on a seventh-inning swing. He grabbed the back of his leg after the swing and left the game after hitting a popup with the bases loaded to Rickie Weeks at second base. Jones is day to day.

Prince Fielder’s two-run double in the Brewers’ three-run eighth padded the lead. The Brewers had 16 hits, including five off Kenshin Kawakami in the eighth.

Casey McGehee had three hits, including a run-scoring single in the eighth.

The Braves began the night five games ahead of the second-place Mets in the NL East.

Alcides Escobar drove in McGehee with a single in the second. Wolf added a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead.

After Corey Hart led off the third with a single, Braun’s line-drive homer to center field pushed the lead to 4-0.

The Brewers added two runs in the sixth off Kris Medlen. Manager Bobby Cox said before the game Medlen still is the Braves’ No. 5 starter, but an off day on Monday gives the right-hander a chance to stay sharp while pitching in relief.

Medlen gave up three hits and two runs. Only one run, on Weeks’ run-scoring single, was earned. Troy Glaus was charged with an error when he couldn’t handle a low throw from new shortstop Alex Gonzalez on a single by Hart, allowing George Kottaras to score.

Gonzalez, acquired in an All-Star break trade that sent Yunel Escobar to Toronto, went 1 for 3 and scored a run.

Jason Heyward had a single in the fourth to snap an 0-for-16 drought. Heyward scored on a double by Glaus.

The Braves added a run in the sixth when Martin Prado led off with a triple and scored on Brian McCann’s two-out single.

NOTES: LHP Doug Davis was placed on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his left elbow. He missed two months with inflammation of the lining around his heart before coming off the disabled list on July 6. … The Brewers recalled OF Lorenzo Cain from Triple-A Nashville. Cain lined out to left field in the ninth in his first major league at-bat. … Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton celebrated his 50th birthday. His son, Terry Jr., sang the national anthem, received a hug from his dad, and led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday.” … Cox said Jair Jurrjens will start Tuesday against San Diego in what would have been Medlen’s normal start. … LHP Mike Dunn gave up one hit with two strikeouts in one inning in his major league debut for Atlanta.