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Which public figure are you more tired of hearing about -- Brett Favre or Danny Gokey?

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Understated, not overlooked: Ryan Braun's two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning shook Miller Park to its pilings and paved the way for Trevor Hoffman's "Hell's Bells" intro music and a 3-2 victory over Chicago Friday night at Miller Park.

"He has a flair for the dramatic," right-hander Dave Bush said, referring to Braun, who was 2 for 3 and leads the Brewers with seven homers.

Although it went to the opposite field, Braun's homer was reminiscent of his eighth-inning blast against Chicago on the final day of last season, a shot that lifted the Brewers to a wild-card playoff berth.

"Not quite as dramatic as the home run last year, but definitely a lot of fun, just the energy, the excitement of the crowd that made it feel a little bit like last year," he said.

Braun, who had his family in the stands, celebrated by wagging his tongue like Michael Jordan as he slapped hands with first base coach Ed Sedar.

"I'm passionate," he said. "My intent is never to show anybody up or embarrass anybody. I think guys should be emotional, you should enjoy it. You don't hit too many home runs in big situations that you get to enjoy, so why not?"

The Brewers had plenty to enjoy in this game, but not all the moments were as loud as Braun's homer. The quiet moments still counted, though. For example:

* Bush cruised through another strong outing, using a sharp curveball to keep the Cubs off balance for seven innings.

* Carlos Villanueva, with help from Mitch Stetter, diffused a bases-loaded, one out situation in the eighth inning that turned the tide. Villanueva got Ryan Theriot to bounce into a force play and Stetter needed two pitches to retire pinch-hitter Geovany Soto on a fielder's choice.

* Cubs manager Lou Piniella, going for the kill after Koyie Hill's one-out double in the top of the eighth, lifted Angel Guzman for a pinch-hitter (Reed Johnson). That removed a tough reliever and set the stage for Aaron Heilman to lose the game.

* Rightfielder Corey Hart played a huge, unsung role in the game. Hart alertly backed up the right-field line on Bill Hall's throwing error in the eighth. That prevented a run from scoring. Hart then drew a leadoff walk against Aaron Heilman in the eighth, and scored on Braun's homer.

* The Brewers got a break when Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez dislocated his left shoulder diving for a ball hit by Ryan Braun. Look for Ramirez to be out six to eight weeks and Ryan Freel, acquired from Baltimore on Friday, to join the Cubs tonight. Ramirez wasn't around to hit in the ninth inning, which made things easier for Hoffman.

The little things, as they say, mean a lot.

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