With the game on the line in the ninth inning, Milwaukee's Mat Gamel found himself buried in an 0-2 count -- otherwise known as "hitter's jail."
Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel wasn't about to grant parole.
Kimbrel rared back and unleashed a 97-mph fastball when it mattered most Saturday, producing a game-ending strikeout of Gamel to preserve a 2-1 Braves victory.
In a game that felt like a postseason preview, the visiting Brewers failed to answer the bell late, stranding five baserunners in the final two innings.
Milwaukee had the bases loaded with one out in the ninth inning before Kimbrel struck out George Kottaras and Gamel in succession. As a result, the Brewers fell below .500, at 4-5, while Atlanta (4-4) won its fourth consecutive game.
"I really liked our chances," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "You know, we get the bases loaded with those two lefties coming up -- I felt great."
But, Roenicke added, Kimbrel "made some good pitches."
The Brewers are now 5-12 against the Braves since 2010.
But the Brewers did show a little late-game grit Saturday. Center fielder Carlos Gomez laid out to snare a lazy blooper by Jason Heyward in the seventh inning. Milwaukee reliever Jose Veras ended a mild Atlanta threat with an inning-ending strikeout in the eighth, as well.
And, throughout his entire outing, Brewers starter Shaun Marcum looked every bit the seasoned veteran that went 13-7 a year ago, as he allowed just two earned runs on three hits over seven innings.
"I thought Shaun threw the ball great," Roenicke said afterward. "The two runs he gave up were a fluke . ... He pitched great."
But Atlanta was equal to the task Saturday, led by starter Mike Minor. The 24-year-old lefty had his longest stint as a major leaguer, going 7 1/3 innings and limiting Milwaukee to just two hits and no earned runs. He yielded just one walk.
"You have to tip your cap to Minor," noted Brewers third base coach Ed Sedar, in a postgame interview on FOX Sports Wisconsin. "He did a good job shutting down our offense.
"He was able to mix and match all his pitches he uses."
Added Roenicke: "We didn't square up many balls" when at the plate.
Milwaukee will look to avoid a sweep in Atlanta on Sunday in a series finale that gets under way at 12:35 p.m.
