Braves take out Brewers in 11

ATLANTA -- Francisco Cordero rarely gives up homers -- especially with his Brewers one out from a win. Rickie Weeks rarely bobbles easy grounders.

The extra-inning slips set up Mark Teixeira's winning single in the 11th Saturday, giving the Atlanta Braves a 4-3 victory and leaving Milwaukee facing a 2½-game deficit in the NL Central. The division-leading Cubs beat Pittsburgh 9-5 earlier in the day.

"We're down 2½ with eight left. That's not good math," said Milwaukee's Corey Hart, whose 10th-inning homer gave Milwaukee a 3-2 lead.

Brewers manager Ned Yost refused to take a dim view of his team's chances.

"We're 2½ good days from being back in first place, and as far as I know we have a week left, so no, just play it day by day," Yost said.

Needing to win, the Brewers were one out away in the 10th when Cordero gave up a tying home run to pinch-hitter Scott Thorman.

Edgar Renteria drew a leadoff walk from Seth McClung (0-1) in the Braves 11th and Willie Harris pinch-ran. Brian Shouse relieved, and Chipper Jones hit an easy grounder that Weeks misplayed.

"I just missed the ball," Weeks said. "I was trying to get the ball to the shortstop for two."

Of the Brewers' remaining eight games, the final seven are in Milwaukee.

"The Cubs could win every game from here on out, or they could lose every game from here on out," Weeks said. "All we can do is go out and try to win games."