Ryan Braun drove in two runs to key a three-run fifth inning as the Milwaukee Brewers kept their torrid August going with a 5-2 victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Friday.

With the Brewers trailing 2-1, Braun doubled into the left-field corner against Rodrigo Lopez (4-5). Corey Hart and Nyjer Morgan both came around to score, with Braun coming home on Darwin Barney's throwing error to make it 4-2.

Milwaukee, which leads the National League Central by 9 1/2 games over St. Louis, has won 19 of 24 games this month and improved to a major-league best 48-16 at home.

Randy Wolf (11-8) allowed two runs (one earned) and four hits in 6 2/3 innings and three relievers held the Cubs scoreless the rest of the way. John Axford worked the ninth for his 38th save.

Lopez allowed four runs (two earned), five hits, four walks and struck out five in six innings.

The Cubs led 2-0 after a home run by Starlin Castro in the first and an RBI double by Jeff Baker in the third.

Chicago third baseman Aramis Ramirez extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a double in the first.

George Kottaras hit a solo homer in the fourth for the Brewers.