MILWAUKEE – Bases loaded, none out in the 12th inning of a tie game. The Braves’ Gordon Beckham needed to put the ball in play, preferably in the outfield and fairly deep.
He did that and then some.
Beckham’s sacrifice fly to the center-field warning track drove in the decisive run in a 4-3 series-opening win against the Brewers Monday night at Miller Park, the ninth win in 13 games for the Braves and another impressive performance from Rob Whalen in his second major league start.
The Braves, who had loaded the bases in the 12th against Carlos Torres, had a chance to do more damage in the inning when Beckham’s fly ball was dropped by center fielder Keon Broxton, allowing Beckham to reach first and the bases to remain loaded.