Friday’s Game Report: Brewers 2, Cardinals 1 (10 innings)
By Rob Rains
The Cardinals did not find the cure for their ailing offense on Friday night when they returned to Busch Stadium.
For the 11th time in their last 12 games they failed to score more than three runs and on this night didn’t score at all until they had two outs in the ninth inning.
A rally that consisted of a walk, a pinch-hit single by Alec Burleson, a hit batter and another walk produced the tying run but the Cardinals then lost the game to the Brewers in the 10th inning.
With a chance to tie the game again in the 10th, the would be tying run was left on third base when Nolan Gorman struck out, for the fourth time in the game.
Here is how Friday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: The Cardinals had only five hits, all singles … Their two best scoring chances over the first eight innings came in the second, when Willson Contreras tried to score from second on a passed ball but was thrown out at the plate, and in the sixth, when they loaded the bases with two outs before Gorman struck out … Contreras extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games … The Cardinals also drew six walks, but left 12 runners on base, going 0-of-6 with a runner in scoring position … Their streak without a home run is now at six games and 190 at-bats.
On the mound: Kyle Gibson allowed one run over his six innings of work. He gave up just three hits but also issued four walks. He has pitched at least six innings in each of his four starts this season … Giovanny Gallegos, Matthew Liberatore and Ryan Fernandez kept the Cardinals within one run through the ninth … Ryan Helsley took over in the 10th and allowed the gift runner to score on a two-out single, ended his streak of retiring 14 batters in a row over his last five appearances.
Key stat: The Cardinals were 0-of-2 with the bases loaded, including a Paul Goldschmidt ground out in the ninth. That left them 1-of-11 with the bases loaded so far this season.
Worth noting: Contreras’ brother, William, had both RBIs for the Brewers … Christian Yelich will miss the series as he is on the Brewers’ injured list because of back discomfort … There was a moment of silence for former manager Whitey Herzog before the game, the first for the Cardinals at home since Herzog died on Tuesday … Victor Scott II received his minor league Gold Glove for last season during a pre-game ceremony.
Looking ahead: Miles Mikolas will get the start in the second game of the series, at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
