Brewers Vs. Phillies: John Axford Blows Save, Milwaukee Comes Back In Extras

Playing in front of a raucous Philadelphia crowd, the Milwaukee Brewers would have been excused if they felt a little shell-shocked after losing a ninth-inning lead. The Brewers came back with three runs in the twelfth, though, defeating the Phillies on Monday night, 6-3

The Phillies scored the first run, with Ryan Howard singling home a run against Brewers starter Shawn Marcum in the first inning. Noted non-ace Joe Blanton started for the Phillies, befuddling the Brewers for most of the night. He threw seven innings, striking out four and walking one. The Brewers took the lead in the third on consecutive RBI singles from Carlos Gomez and Ryan Braun, but that was all Blanton would allow.

The Brewers led 3-2 going into the ninth, but Milwaukee closer John Axford walked the lead-off hitter, who was promptly singled home by Pete Orr after a sacrifice bunt, tying the game. Between Axford, Ryan Franklin, and Brandon Lyon, NL Central closers have not had the greatest collective start to the season.

In the twelfth, the Brewers jumped all over Kyle Kendrick, who committed the same grave sin that Axford did: walking the first hitter he faced. Carlos Gomez tried to bunt the runner over, but Kyle Kendrick threw the ball away. A pair of sacrifice flies -- one from Braun, and another from Yuniesky Betancourt -- gave the Brewers the lead, and Jonathan Lucroy fisted a bases-loaded single for the sixth Milwaukee run.

Brewers reliever Brandon Kintzler got the win after coming in for the 11th inning. He gave up a single and a walk in the 12th, but got Ben Francisco to fly out and end the game.