Heavyweight slugger Prince Fielder put Milwaukee in front with an unlikely infield single in the eighth Wednesday, boosting the Brewers past St. Louis 5-4.

Fielder, listed at 268 pounds, came up with the score tied, two away in the eighth and the bases loaded.

He hit a grounder deep in the hole on the left side and shortstop Brendan Ryan made a backhanded grab to keep it from going into left field. Ryan's throw to first, however, was not in time and Craig Counsell raced in from third with the go-ahead run.

Trevor Hoffman came on in the ninth to record his 19th save, but not before he loaded the bases with two away. Hoffman got Yadier Molina to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game, giving Todd Coffey (4-1) the win.

Coffey worked the seventh and eighth innings while allowing a hit and striking out two. Jason Motte (3-3) gave up Fielder's single and took the loss.

Milwaukee overcame a 4-1 deficit with a three-run fourth, two of the runs coming on Mat Gamel's third homer of the season.

The Brewers ended a two-game skid and moved within a game of the Cardinals for first place in the National League Central.