Tuesday’s Game Report: Brewers 3, Cardinals 2
By Rob Rains
A pinch-hit home run from Matt Carpenter in the eighth inning brought some life to a Cardinals’ offense that had been dead for seven innings.
Two hits in the ninth put the tying run on third and the winning run on second with one out.
Anybody who has paid attention to the Cardinals this season, however, knows how this game ended.
After Lars Nootbaar was intentionally walked to load the bases, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Gorman struck out, ending the game and saddling the Cardinals with their seventh loss in their last eight games.
It was also their seventh loss in eight games against the Brewers this season, and left them 12 games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central with a record of 61-64.
Here is how Tuesday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: The Cardinals’ only hit off Frankie Montas through the first seven innings was a one-out single by Alec Burleson in the fourth. Montas retired 16 of the first 17 batters he faced before walking Victor Scott II with one out in the sixth, the only other runner to reach base … With Montas out of the game, Nootbaar singled to lead off the eighth before Carpenter hit the sixth pinch-hit homer of his career and the second by the Cardinals in as many games … With closer Devin Williams pitching in the ninth, Brendan Donovan singled with one out and Nolan Arenado doubled, but they stayed put as Williams struck out Goldschmidt and Gorman, the only two at-bats in the game for the Cardinals with a runner in scoring position.
On the mound: Erick Fedde gave up the first two Brewers runs, when two walks led to a run in the second inning and on a triple by Sal Frelick and a single in the fifth … Fedde allowed six hits and walked four in 5 2/3 innings as the Cardinals lost for the third time in his four starts since he was acquired in a trade deadline deal …An RBI double from William Contreras drove in what turned out to be the deciding run in the eighth off John King.
Key stat: In the eight games against the Cardinals this season, William Contreras – who was 3-of-4 on Tuesday night – is 15 of 32, a .469 average, with four doubles and five RBIs. His brother Willson has played four games against the Brewers, going 3-of-13. He was hitless in four at-bats on Tuesday night.
Roster moves: In a series of moves before the game, the Cardinals released Brandon Crawford, optioned Jordan Walker and recalled Luken Baker from Memphis and activated Carpenter from the injured list … By releasing Crawford, the Cardinals opened a spot on both the 26-man and 40-man roster which they likely will need when some of their injured pitchers are ready to be activated. He was signed as an insurance move for Masyn Winn in spring training but his playing time had been very limited … Walker’s decision was tied to the fact the Cardinals are scheduled to see almost all righthanded starters in the next two weeks, which would have kept him on the bench. The Cardinals really had scheduled Walker’s return from Memphis to be brief, just until Carpenter was ready to come off the IL … Baker was viewed as a better option for a bat off the bench than Walker, according to both manager Oli Marmol and John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations.
Worth noting: Two of the injured pitchers, Lance Lynn and Steven Matz, are getting closer to returning. Lynn threw a live batting practice session before the game and will do so again next Monday, Marmol said. Matz is scheduled to be stretched out to about 90 pitches in a start on Wednesday night in Memphis … The announced attendance of 30,022 was the smallest crowd in the history of Busch Stadium 3 that was not restricted because of Covid in 2020 and 2021.
Looking ahead: Kyle Gibson is scheduled to start the second game of the series on Wednesday night.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
