Braun, Brewers wrap up 1st division title!

This season was built for him as chants of “We want Prince” continued. Now, he gets a chance to take Milwaukee to a point much farther than his first postseason appearance in 2008. Fielder homered to start the scoring and Ryan Braun hit a three-run, go-ahead shot in the eighth to lift the Brewers over the Florida Marlins 4-1 on Friday night to win the NL Central. Braun homered to end a 1-for-16 skid amid chants of “M-V-P.” He then pointed his bat in the air toward owner Mark Attanasio and the fans before rounding the bases.

The returns included 2009 AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum. Melvin said the Brewers were all-in, just liked they...
were in 2008 when they traded for CC Sabathia at midseason. The gamble paid off again, but it took longer than expected for rookie manager Ron Roenicke. Milwaukee remained in third place behind Pittsburgh and St. Louis on July 25. Milwaukee then won 27 of 32 to take a 10½-game lead in the NL Central."I know the team always felt like we were going to play good ball," Roenicke said. "It didn't take long for us to turn that around." Milwaukee joined the NL in 1998 and watched St. Louis win seven division titles while the Brewers remained mostly in the bottom of the division. Things began changing when Attanasio, an L.A. investment banker, purchased the Brewers in September 2004 from Commissioner Bud Selig's family and steadily raised the payroll, up to more than $85 million to start this season. Milwaukee holds losing records against the Phillies, Braves and Diamondbacks -- the other three NL teams in line to join them in the postseason. This time, the Brewers come in a team built on pitching and still has a potent offense.