GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: FLORIDA (26-27) at MILWAUKEE (29-24)

Hardy single lifts Brewers past Marlins

<h3>MILWAUKEE 4, FLORIDA 3</h3>MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers earned anincreasingly rare win on the strength of some hot young bats.

Prince Fielder homered and J.J. Hardy drove in the go-ahead runto lead the Brewers to a 4-3 victory over the Florida Marlins onThursday.

Claudio Vargas pitched six solid innings and Carlos Villanueva(4-0) and Francisco Cordero combined for three scoreless inningsof relief for Milwaukee, which won for just the second time inits last nine games.

"It's nice to get that first one out of the way of this seriesand maybe relax a little bit and go out there and start playinggood baseball like we were earlier in the year," Hardy said.

Fielder's recent power surge has brought him to the top of themajor leagues in homers - tied with the New York Yankees' AlexRodriguez at 19 - and put him into the franchise record books inMilwaukee. The 23-year-old's blast gave him 13 for the monthwhich snaps the Brewers record for homers in any month.

"It feels good, but I'm just glad I'm able to help my team winand that we're in first place," Fielder said. "This team had alot of great players. I'm happy to be a part of that. Hopefully,I can keep playing strong and keep helping my team win."

Fielder has now homered in four straight games.

"He's a dangerous hitter that has some pop," Marlins starter WesObermueller said. "Unfortunately, I made a mistake to him andhe got me."

Hardy had three hits and drove in a pair, plating thegame-winner with a two-out single to right that scored CoreyHart from second base.

"I think for a while there, I was trying to pull a lot ofoutside pitches," Hardy said. "I really hadn't been seeing theball as well as I had earlier. I went back to thenot-try-to-do-too-much approach."

Obermueller lasted seven innings, yielding three runs and sixhits while striking out five. He was saddled with a no-decisionwhen righthander Matt Lindstrom (0-2) allowed Hardy's single.

"Obbie (Obermueller) did a nice job," Marlins manager FrediGonzalez said. "It was just too bad Matt gave up a run,otherwise we'd still be playing."

The Marlins opened the scoring in the first when Alfredo Amezagatouched Vargas for a leadoff double. Amezaga moved to thirdona groundout and came around to score on All-Star MiguelCabrera's RBI double to left-center field.

The Brewers responded in their half of the first when leadoffman Hart doubled off Obermueller and Hardy brought him home witha single to even the game at 1-1.

"I think the league thought they could throw the ball in onJ.J., but J.J. proved that's not the case," Brewers manager NedYost said. "Now, they are working J.J. away, and J.J. takeswhat the pitcher gives him."

Hart batted leadoff for the second straight game and could seemore action there as the Brewers placed second baseman RickieWeeks on the 15-day disabled list with right wrist tendonitisfollowing the game.

"As a leadoff guy, I want to get on base as much as possible,especially with they way J.J. and Prince have been swinging thebats," Hart said. "Any time you can get on base for those guys,it's nice to do."

Amezaga got Florida going again in the third when he drew aleadoff walk and moved to third when Dan Uggla doubled to deepcenter. Reigning Rookie of the Year Hanley Ramirez broughtAmezaga home with a sacrifice fly.

Milwaukee grabbed its first lead of the game in the fourth onFielder's two-run blast, but the Marlins quickly responded inthe fifth when Cabrera drove in his second run of the game toeven the mark at 3-3.

In search of bullpen help, the Marlins acquired closer ArmandoBenitez from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for relieverRandy Messenger during the game.

"When he gets into town, Fredi and (pitching coach) Rick Kranitzwill sit down with him and discuss his role," Florida assistantgeneral Manager Mike Hill said. "We love Armando. He did agreat job for us in 2004. We know him and we know what he cando. We're very happy to have him back as a Florida Marlin."