Milwaukee, WI -- (Sports Network) - J.J. Hardy drove in the game-winning run in the 11th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers pulled out a 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres, in the second contest of a four-game set from Miller Park.

Brian Falkenborg (2-3) returned in the 11th after pitching the 10th and created a first and third situation by allowing singles to Mike Rivera and Ray Durham around a force out by Craig Counsell. Hardy stepped to the plate and lined the game-winner down the left field line.

Jason Kendall had an RBI single and walked twice for Milwaukee, which snapped a four-game slide to move within 4 games of the slumping Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. The Reds pounded Chicago 10-2 Friday to extend the Cubs losing streak to six games. The Brewers also maintained a four-game lead in the Wild Card standings over Philadelphia, which blanked the Mets 3-0 Friday.

CC Sabathia posted another strong start, giving up just five hits, one run and a pair of walks in seven innings while fanning nine, but was dealt a no- decision after the bullpen blew a one-run lead. The lefty is 9-0 in 12 starts with the Brewers since being acquired from Cleveland shortly before the All- Star break. The red-hot Sabathia was also 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI single. Brian Shouse (5-1) got the win.

"CC had seven strong innings and 106 pitches. If I sent him out to pitch the eighth, he was going to finish the eighth," Brewers manager Ned Yost said of pulling Sabathia. "I thought he labored through the seventh and got out of that jam. I didn't want him to have 120 pitches."

Starter Josh Geer kept pace opposite Sabathia in just his second career start, allowing seven hits, two runs and three walks while striking out a pair of Brewers through five innings.

Brian Giles smacked a game-tying home run in the eighth -- one of his four hits -- and Adrian Gonzalez plated a run with a groundout. Luis Rodriguez doubled twice and scored once for San Diego, which has dropped three of four.

The Brew Crew got on the board with a run in the second. Mike Cameron singled to left with one down and moved to second when Bill Hall drew a walk. Kendall then poked a single to right to score Cameron.

The Padres got to Sabathia for a run in the fourth when Rodriguez led off with a double to right, moved up on a fly ball from Kevin Kouzmanoff and came home when Adrian Gonzalez bounced a fielder's choice to third.

Milwaukee went back ahead in the home half after Hall tripled with two down and scored on a Sabathia RBI single. Sabathia went on and battled to strand a runner at second in the sixth with one down and then at third in the seventh with one down before exiting in favor of Eric Gagne in the eighth.

The move proved costly, as Giles needed just two pitches from Gagne to tie the game with a home run over the right field wall. Rodriguez followed by taking Gagne's third pitch down the right field line for a double. After Kouzmanoff was retired on strikes, Gagne walked Adrian Gonzalez. Chase Headley moved both runners into scoring position with a groundout, but Chip Ambres lined out to end the inning.

"We put a little stress on Gagne but couldn't get that extra knock. We couldn't get the clutch hit and they came up with a hit at the end," Padres manager Bud Black said.

The Padres went on to strand six runners from the ninth to the 11th while Milwaukee stranded four before Hardy's game-winner.

Game Notes:

The Brewers now lead the season series 3-2...Milwaukee signed veteran infielder Mike Lamb on Friday. Lamb, who will not be eligible to play if the Brewers reach the postseason, batted .233 with a home run and 32 RBI in 81 games with Minnesota this season. He was designated for assignment by the Twins on August 25 and released on Thursday. To make room on the 40-man roster for Lamb, Milwaukee designated catcher Lou Palmisano for assignment... Saturday's scheduled starters are Jake Peavy (9-9) for the Padres and Ben Sheets (12-7) for Milwaukee...Corey Hart's single in the fifth extended his hitting streak to 11 games while Kendall extended his hit streak to 10 with a single in the opening inning.