Miller Park should be rocking tonight when the Brewers play the Pirates in a pivotal game with post-season implications.

Thanks to Eric Gagne, it'll be a little more crowded, too.

Gagne, who has drawn fan ire with some shaky relief work this season, purchased 5,000 tickets to the game, which were given away free to fans through the team Web site -- brewers.com. The tickets were gone in 20 minutes.

"Tonight, we'll be playing one of the most important games in franchise history, and I can think of no better way to thank the fans than giving families an opportunity to pack Miller Park," Gagne said in a statement.

"No matter what happens over these next four games, I want everyone to know that I think the world of Brewers fans. Three million times they have walked through the gates this year and none of us on the field takes their support for granted. We're going to have some fun out here, and I know that the atmosphere will be electric."

The Brewers entered play tonight tied with the Mets for the National League Wild Card. Both teams have four games left this season.

Starting at 3:30, fans could go to brewers.com to request up to four tickets. Fans requesting the complimentary tickets were be subject to a one-time $2 fee for printing their ticket order at home, or a $4 per order fee for picking up at Miller Park will call.

The tickets were gone in 20 minutes.

Gagne, who recently made a large donation to the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund, has also put in a special request for fans to support this weekend's Drive for Charity.

Participating fans will have the opportunity to receive a J.J. Hardy collectible Brewers pin with the donation of new or gently used winter coats. Donations will be accepted throughout the Chicago series from the gate opening through the second inning at the Left Field, Right Field and Home Plate Gate entrances.