Hardy keeps Brewers going

MILWAUKEE -- J.J. Hardy and the Milwaukee Brewers did just enough to keep their postseason alive for another day.

The Brewers got three hits from Hardy and a sharp outing from Dave Bush to beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-1, Saturday night and stave off elimination in the National League division series.

Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun each had a sacrifice fly, and Hardy and Jason Kendall had run-scoring singles.

“Tonight was big for us,” Hardy said. “I think we’re going to be able to relax a little bit more and come out and play early tomorrow.”

Bush gave up one run in 5 1/3 innings to help send the best-of-five series to a fourth game today.

Three relievers stymied the Phillies before Salomon Torres worked a rocky ninth inning for the save. Philadelphia loaded the bases with no outs and Pedro Feliz hit a double-play grounder to third base that appeared to drive in Ryan Howard.

But Shane Victorino was called for interference when he didn’t slide into second base. The runners were sent back to second and third, and Carlos Ruiz grounded out to Torres for the final out.

Only seven teams have bounced back from an 0-2 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series, including the 1982 Brewers.

Interim Manager Dale Sveum said the victory gave the Brewers confidence.

“Hopefully, it pays off for the next two ballgames,” Sveum said.

Jeff Suppan will start for Milwaukee today against Joe Blanton.

“I’ve got confidence in him,” Manager Charlie Manuel said. “He has a chance to throw a good game.”

The Brewers managed only three runs and seven hits as the Phillies won the first two games convincingly. But the Brewers showed some patience at the plate in Game 3, which they seemed to lack in the first two games.

“These guys knew what they had to do with a guy like [Jamie] Moyer on the mound,” Sveum said.

Mike Cameron and Bill Hall, two free-swinging Brewers, walked with no outs in the first inning against Moyer, a 45-year-old left-hander known for his control. They moved up on a wild pitch before Fielder hit a sacrifice fly to right field with one out.

Hardy followed with a run-scoring single to give Milwaukee a 2-0 lead.

Bush allowed the leadoff hitter to reach in four of the first six innings but managed to wiggle out of trouble. He departed with one out and a runner on third base in the sixth inning, and Howard’s groundout against Mitch Stetter cut Milwaukee’s lead to 3-1.

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Milwaukee vs. Philadelphia

Phillies lead best-of-five series, 2-1;

all times Pacific; all games on TBS

Game 1: at Philadelphia 3, Milwaukee 1

Game 2: at Philadelphia 5, Milwaukee 2

Game 3: at Milwaukee 4, Philadelphia 1

Game 4: Today, 10 a.m.

Philadelphia (Joe Blanton, 4-0, 4.20)

at Milwaukee (Jeff Suppan, 10-10, 4.96)

Game 5: Tuesday, 3 p.m.

Milwaukee (CC Sabathia, 11-2, 1.65) at

at Philadelphia (Cole Hamels, 14-10, 3.09)*

*If necessary