Ryan Braun Sets Milwaukee Brewers Record for Grand Slams

Milwaukee Brewers star left fielder Ryan Braun crushed a grand slam off Philadelphia Phillies starter Nick Pivetta to cap off an eight-run second inning during the team's 9-6 victory Friday.

The bases-loaded jack marked the sixth of his career in the majors. The shot also broke a tie with Cecil Cooper, John Jaha and Jeromy Burnitz for the most in franchise history, per the Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN.com). Braun is the only active player to head his team's all-time list in the category.

Although the 33-year-old slugger has missed over half of Milwaukee's 92 games this season, he's still produced 11 home runs and 27 RBI over 41 games when healthy and has anchored a spot in the middle of the club's batting order.

Braun has locked down a middle spot in the order for Milwaukee dating back to his early days, participating in the team's 2008 playoff run, its first since 1982. That run ended at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies in a 3-1 series defeat, but he and the Brewers rejoined the playoff ranks in 2011 and earned a 3-2 series victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks before falling to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Braun and the Brewers sit atop the NL Central standings early into the second half of the season, 5.5 games ahead of the Chicago Cubs entering Saturday's action. However, Chicago made a move Thursday to acquire the services of stud left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana, upping the quality of the team's rotation.

Should the Brewers want to stay at the head of the class in the NL Central, they may need to make a couple of trades before the July 31 non-waiver deadline. They continue to chug along for now, having won nine of their last 11 games when they take the field Saturday evening for Game 2 of a three-game set against the Phillies.