NL | Bill Hall's homer helps Brewers salvage win against Cardinals

Bill Hall figured something good had just happened because he didn't feel a sting when he connected in the 10th inning.

The ball Hall hit off Ryan Franklin sailed over the fence and helped the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 Monday night after squandering a ninth-inning lead.

"When you hit home runs, you don't really feel the ball at all," Hall said. "As soon as I hit it, I knew it hit the good part of the bat. When you see the trajectory of the ball, you knew it had a good chance of getting out."

Milwaukee is 4-0 on its seven-game trip and a National League-best 35-19 since May 20. The win moved the Brewers percentage points ahead of St. Louis for second place in the NL Central behind Chicago.

"From the looks of it, it's us, the Cardinals and the Cubs who will be battling for the division," Hall said. "Every win is important in this division."

Brewers manager Ned Yost said taking the first game of the four-game set was particularly important.

"It's always good to get off to a good start especially against a tough team like St. Louis," he said. "To take the first game of a series is always big in my mind."

Atlanta: RHP Rafael Soriano was activated from the disabled list, and the Braves designated RHP Vladimir Nunez for assignment. If Nunez clears waivers, the Braves will likely assign him to their Class AAA team in Richmond, Va., a team spokesman said.

Colorado: SS Troy Tulowitzki and RHP Kip Wells both were reinstated from the 15-day DL. To make room, the Rockies optioned INF Joe Koshansky and RHP Juan Morillo to AAA Colorado Springs.

Florida: The Marlins planned to recall RHP Rick VandenHurk from AA Carolina to start today.

Houston: The Astros activated C Humberto Quintero from the DL and optioned C J.R. Towles to AAA Round Rock after Monday's loss to Pittsburgh. Houston also recalled RHP Jack Cassel from Round Rock to start tonight and designated RHP Dave Borkowski for assignment.

Los Angeles: LHP Clayton Kershaw will be called up from AAA Las Vegas to start tonight.

Milwaukee: Reliever Eric Gagne, who before Monday had a 9.00 ERA in four appearances since returning from the disabled list June 30, pitched a perfect seventh with two strikeouts in his first action since July 12.

New York: Closer Billy Wagner will have his tight shoulder re-evaluated today to determine if there is an injury to his pitching arm. The left-hander felt the tightness while warming up Sunday, but still earned his 24th save.

Pittsburgh: The Pirates recalled John Van Benschoten from AAA Indianapolis to start the series opener against Houston.

St. Louis: 3B Troy Glaus is hitting .525 (21 for 40) during his 10-game hitting streak.

San Diego: SS Khalil Greene was back in the starting lineup after missing a game because of tightness in his lower back. ... RHP Brett Tomko threw in the bullpen on Monday. Tomko has been sidelined all month by a sore elbow. "We'll see how he is tomorrow and determine his fate," manager Bud Black said.

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