The Brewers' Orlando Arcia tags out the San Diego Padres' Francisco Mejia as he is caught stealing second during the fifth inning Wednesday in Milwaukee. (AP photo)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Dinelson Lamet struck out a career-high 14 and Kirby Yates fanned pinch-hitter Ryan Braun with a runner on second base to close out the San Diego Padres’ 2-1 win over the playoff-contending Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.

The Brewers, who had won four in a row, remained tied with the Cubs for the second NL wild-card spot after Chicago also lost.

Rookie Seth Mejias-Brean hit his first career home run as the Padres ended a six-game losing streak.

Yates took over took to begin the ninth and walked Eric Thames to start the inning. With one out, pinch-runner Tyrone Taylor strayed too far off first base on a popup to shallow left and nearly got doubled off, but was hit in the back by Mejias-Brean’s throw. Taylor went to second on the shortstop’s throwing error, and was stranded when Yates struck out Braun for his 41st save.

Lamet (3-5), who missed the entire 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, repeatedly hit 97 mph. He struck out five of the first six Milwaukee batters.