MILWAUKEE -- When the Milwaukee Brewers were 12 games under .500 on Aug. 19, very few fans expected the team would rebound, let alone have a winning season and be in contention for the NL playoffs down to the last few days. But with the Brewers 5-3 win Monday over the San Diego Padres, the Brewers clinched a winning season for the second straight year. The Brewers won 28 of the last 40 to turn the season around and make a run at an NL wild card before being officially eliminated after a loss Sunday. "I dont think anyone thought we would have a winning season, considering where we were in August," said catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who hit a home run Monday. "We wanted to be in the playoffs, but we never gave up this year. I think we really showed the character of the team." Brewers closer John Axford struck out the side in the ninth inning Monday to get his 34 save in 43 chances. It was a nice bounce back for Axford, who struggled this season blowing nine saves, including one Thursday in Cincinnati when the team was still battling for the wild card. "This shows that perserverance pays off," he said. "We never gave up despite our record in August. I think we have a very good team and am confident we can rebound next season." Shaun Marcum (7-4) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. Marcum was likely making his last start for the Brewers as the team is not expected to re-sign the veteran pitcher. It was his second straight victory after not winning a game since June 8 as he spent two months on the disabled list with right elbow tightness before being activated Aug. 25. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Marcum was good enough to get the win. "He mixed speeds well and really battled," Roenicke said. "We always knew Shaun knew how to pitch. It is just a question of keeping him healthy." Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez added home runs for the Brewers, who pounded out 10 hits. Clayton Richard (14-14) gave up five runs and 10 hits in seven innings for his second straight loss after winning five straight decisions. Richard said he was not executing his pitches. "They jumped on everything I didnt execute," he said. The Brewers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first. With two outs, Ryan Braun lined a double down the right-field line and scored on Aramis Ramirezs RBI single. Richards first career home run with one out in the third inning tied the score at 1-1 for the Padres. Marcum then walked three of the next four batters, but got Yonder Alonso to fly out to end the inning. "Ill take a win over a homer every time," Richard said. "But its definitely neat to be able to do that (hit a home run). It was just more luck than anything." Gomezs career-high 19th home run of the season gave the Brewers a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning. Gomezs previous high eight in 2011. Weeks two-run home run in the fifth inning boosted Milwaukees lead to 4-1. It was the Brewers 200th home run of the season, the second straight season the team has hit that mark and only the fifth time in team history. Jesse Guzmans RBI single in the sixth inning scored Will Venable for the Padres to cut the lead to 4-2. Venable had doubled down the right field line and then stole third base. Lucroys 12th home run of the season in the sixth inning increased the Brewers lead to 5-2. San Diego pulled to 5-3 in the seventh inning on Yasman Grandals RBI single. NOTES: Padres manager Bud Black said RHP Casey Kelley will not make his scheduled start Tuesday due to general arm and elbow soreness. RHP Anthony Bass (2-7) will start in his place. ... Brewers manager Ron Roenicke had a team meeting before the game to tell his team he was pleased with the way they had played in the last month to get back into the NL wild-card race. ... Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers visited Braun in the clubhouse before the game. The two are close friends and are involved in the ownership of a Milwaukee-area restaurant together. Wholesale MLB Jerseys . Paul could help with the Reds struggling offence. He batted .332 in 66 games with nine homers and 48 RBIs. Votto had surgery on Tuesday to repair torn cartilage in his left knee and is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks. Wholesale NFL Jerseys . Talks first began between Smiths agent and school officials during the 2010-11 season. After roughly a year and a half, the two sides finally reached a point where they were comfortable with both the language and the timing of the contract. http://www.xingfantrade.com/ . Marks missed the preseason finale against New Orleans. Reserve offensive tackle Mike Otto is the only other player who did not practice and has been declared out as he recovers from hand and knee surgeries. cheap jerseys from china . Calvin Johnson was forced to settle for what he could get. Cheap Jerseys . LOUIS -- For the third straight game, a St.It appears the search for the next head of the Montreal Alouettes is underway. According to Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette, Alouettes general manager Jim Popp has received permission from the Toronto Argonauts to talk to defensive coordinator Chris Jones about their head coaching position. The Alouettes also asked and received permission to speak to B.C. Lions offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Jacques Chapdelaine. Jones began his CFL coaching career with the Alouettes in 2002 as the teams defensive line coach. The following season, he took over the reins as the defensive coordinator; a position he held for five seasons before taking the same position with the Calgary Stampeders. Lasst season, Jones joined the Toronto Argonauts and head coach Scott Milanovich as the teams assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and assistant general manager.dddddddddddd Chapdelaine just completed his ninth season with the Lions after joining the club in 2003 as the teams receivers coach. In 2005, Jacques was promoted to offensive coordinator, which culminated in a Grey Cup championship in 2006. After a brief stint with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2007, Chapdelaine rejoined the Lions in 2008 as receivers coach and was then promoted to the coordinator post once again in 2010. The Alouettes are looking to replace Marc Trestman, who was hired as head coach of the Chicago Bears this week. ' ' '