Maldonado hits grand slam as Brewers beat Padres

MILWAUKEE — Rookie Martin Maldonado hit a grand slam and the Milwaukee Brewers used 10 newcomers in beating the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Maldonado connected against Anthony Bass (2-8) in the fourth inning for his first career slam and eighth home run of the year. The backup catcher was in a 1-for-16 slump since Sept. 10 when he delivered.

Jim Henderson (1-2) pitched a perfect seventh inning. John Axford worked the ninth for his 35th save in 44 chances, getting Logan Forsythe to ground out with a runner on the third to end it.

The Brewers started right-hander Tyler Thornburg and fellow rookies Norichika Aoki, Logan Schafer, Maldonado, Taylor Green, Jean Segura, Jeff Bianchi and Maldonado. Rookie Eric Farris pinch-hit and rookies Brandon Kintzler and Henderson pitched in relief.

The Padres started Bass, who has been pitching in relief since returning from a shoulder injury in early September. He was limited to 60 pitches, and allowed only one hit and one walk in the first two innings, but ran into trouble as his pitch count climbed in the third.

With one out in a scoreless game, Aoki singled and stole second. Schafer struck out but Bass then issued consecutive walks to Ryan Braun and Travis Ishikawa.

Pitching coach Darren Balsley visited the mound, but Bass stayed in the game and Maldonado hit the right-hander’s 56th pitch into the left-field bleachers to give Milwaukee a 4-0 lead.

Will Venable’s RBI single scored Chase Headley in the fourth to pull San Diego within 4-1.

The Padres scored twice off reliever Manny Parra in the sixth to make it 4-3. Headley singled, moved to second on Yonder Alonso’s walk and scored on pitch-hitter Jesus Guzman’s single. Venable was hit by a pitch to load the bases, chasing Parra.

Pinch-hitter Yasmani Grandal’s infield single off Brandon Loe scored Guzman to make it 4-3. Loe struck out pinch-hitter Carlos Quentin to leave the bases loaded.

The Brewers loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, but reliever Brad Boxberger got Logan Schafer to pop out and Braun to strike out to end the threat.

Notes: Headley was named the NL Player of the Month for September. He won the award in August too. ... Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said before the game that the entire coaching staff would return in 2013. ... Roenicke said most of the starters likely would play in the season finale on Wednesday.