ST. LOUIS, July 24 (UPI) -- Ryan Braun's two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning Thursday rallied the Milwaukee Brewers to their eighth straight victory -- 4-3 over St. Louis.

The dramatic triumph kept the Brewers within one game of division-leading Chicago in the National League Central and pushed the Cardinals four games back.

Milwaukee completed the franchise's first four-game sweep of St. Louis.

Brewers' starter Ben Sheets gave up only two earned runs through seven innings, but he was on the hook for the loss until the late comeback.

Eric Gagne (3-2) got the win by pitching the eighth and Salomon Torres earned his 19th save by striking out the side in the ninth.

Ryan Franklin (3-4) came on for St. Louis to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and struck out Ray Durham to open the inning. But J.J. Hardy singled to center and Braun followed by hitting an 0-1 pitch out to left for his 26th homer of the season.