Brewers 4, Giants 2
Shaun Marcum threw seven strong innings and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers took over sole possession of first place in the National League Central with a 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday night.
Marcum (9-3) gave up two runs on four hits and struck out five. Milwaukee leads Pittsburgh and St. Louis by one game.
After Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless eighth John Axford worked the ninth for his 27th save.
The Brewers’ seventh and eighth batters - Yuniesky Betancourt and Jonathan Lucroy - each went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs.
Giants starter Matt Cain (8-6) allowed four runs – three earned – on eight hits over six innings.
Milwaukee left fielder Ryan Braun was given Friday off to rest his calf, but he is expected to return to the starting lineup Saturday.