Brewers 3, Padres 1: Back in first place

SAN DIEGO - Don't look now, but these rebuilding Milwaukee Brewers are suddenly all alone in first place in the National League's Central Division.

With Jett Bandy's RBI single highlighting a two-run, ninth-inning rally and Matt Garza dealing yet again, the Brewers edged the San Diego Padres, 3-1, at Petco Park on Wednesday night.

It was the eighth victory in 10 games for Milwaukee, which is now five games over .500 at 23-18 for the first time since Sept. 20, 2014.

Sure, there's still lots and lots of baseball left to be played. But in the here and now, what these developing Brewers are doing has been impressive.

The offense has been there all season. But now the starting pitching is improving and the defense seems to be coming around. If everything comes together at once and for an extended period of time, things could get interesting.

"High spirits all around, for sure," Bandy said. "Hopefully we keep that rolling. We’re all young guys, we all have stuff to prove. We’re all going out there, competing every day.

"It’s definitely still early. It’s not how you start but how you finish. But if we keep this going, it’s going to be really fun."

For the second straight game the Brewers grabbed a first-inning lead, a continuing theme for them this season. It was Travis Shaw, back after a two-game absence caused by a finger injury, who drove in Eric Sogard with a broken-bat single to center off Padres right-hander Jhoulys Chacin.

BOX SCORE: Brewers 3, Padres 1

MLB: Live scoreboard, box scores, standings, schedules

Little did they know at the time that would be the last offense they'd generate against Chacin until the seventh, when Bandy's two-out walk snapped a string of 19 consecutive batters retired by the well-traveled veteran who came in with a 4-3 record and 5.13 ERA.

"When he got his breaking balls going, he was really good," said manager Craig Counsell. "He’s been good in this park so far this year. He’s got good games in him. He’s pitched well before.

"And when he has that slider and that curveball going together...our right-handers were struggling."

Garza was sharp as well for the Brewers. He allowed just two hits and a walk through the first five innings as Milwaukee maintained its slim 1-0 lead before San Diego broke through in the sixth.

With two outs, Wil Myers reached on an infield single with the Brewers in a shift. Yangervis Solarte followed with a sinking liner to center that Keon Broxton got to in time but overran.

He fell to the ground as the ball got past him for what was ruled a double, and Myers motored around from first to knot the score at 1-1.

"One of Keon’s last steps is it’s a ball you’re trying so hard to get to, it becomes hard instead of smooth going after it," Counsell said. "You’re bouncing around a little bit and the ball bounces around on you. It’s not for lack of effort, for sure."

It was a hard-luck couple of at-bats for Garza, who responded by fanning Austin Hedges to finish the frame and his night. He allowed four hits and one walk while striking out three in a 91-pitch outing.

"He’s a little bit unsung in this whole thing so far this year," said Counsell. "He’s pitched very, very well and really solidified that spot. And he just keeps going out there and doing it."

It was the fourth consecutive quality start for Garza, who's made five in all since being reinstated from the disabled list on April 24.

"I just want to do my job," said Garza. "I just want to keep progressing, keep improving, keep getting better. This is a new style for me.

RELATED: Sogard making most of second chance

NOTES: Brewers move Peralta to bullpen

"Just being able to have the confidence in my stuff and myself, and the guys behind me, it’s awesome and it really lets a pitcher settle in."

Carlos Torres and Jacob Barnes (1-0) threw scoreless innings behind Garza to set up the ninth.

Facing Padres closer Brandon Maurer, Shaw got things started with a one-out double. Domingo Santana lined a single off shortstop Erick Aybar's glove, and Bandy followed with a single to center to make it 2-1.

A third straight single by Broxton loaded the bases, then Orlando Arcia drove in Santana with an RBI groundout to cap the scoring.

Corey Knebel struck out two in the bottom half to notch his second save.

"We put together a good inning at the end," said Counsell. "Travis cued one and then had just enough on the other balls. Domingo with a line drive.

"That’s a good win. You take it how you can get it."

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE

* First-inning runs have become the norm for the Brewers, who have now outscored their opponents by a 43-12 margin in the first inning.

"It’s more the time when the pitcher is taking the mound for the first time in five days," Counsell said. "He’s still feeling out his stuff. He’s trying to find out what he has working and what he doesn’t. It’s getting a feel for all 3-4 of his pitches, and I think he’s vulnerable.

"It’s a good time to jump on him."

* The Brewers got their first look at San Diego right-hander Miguel Diaz on Tuesday, and he responded by pitching three shutout innings. The 22-year-old, who'd never pitched above Class A Wisconsin while in Milwaukee's organization, was the No. 1 pick in last December's Rule 5 pick and then traded to the Padres.

Diaz is one of three Rule 5 picks on San Diego's 25-man roster, and as such they have to remain on it all season or be offered back to their former clubs. Diaz throws a high-90s fastball but his lack of experience has shown thus far, as evidenced by his 8.35 ERA in his first 16 outings.

"He threw the ball really well," said Counsell of Diaz's performance Tuesday. He allowed two hits and a walk and struck out two. "He’s got a nice arm and he pitched well. He did a nice job saving their bullpen."

STAT SHEET

* Knebel now has at least one strikeout in all 22 of his appearances this season and 35 overall, which leads all NL relievers.

* The Brewers entered Wednesday leading the majors in outfield assists with 11, pitcher pickoffs with seven (tied with the Padres) and catcher pickoffs with four. They also led the National League with 47 double plays.

RECORD

This year: 23-18 (12-11 home; 11-7 away)

Last year: 18-23

NEXT GAME

Thursday: Brewers at Padres, 2:40 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Zach Davies (4-2, 5.80) vs. San Diego RHP Jarred Cosart (0-1, 3.24). TV: None. Radio: 620-AM.