Friday’s Game Report: Brewers 8, Cardinals 2
By Rob Rains
The only ball the Brewers hit out of the infield in the third inning on Friday night was an out – and they scored four runs in the inning.
It was that kind of night for the Cardinals, who lost their fourth consecutive game on this road trip to Seattle and Milwaukee.
After retiring the first six batters he faced, Andre Pallante walked the first two batters in the third, then gave up a bunt single that loaded the bases. Another walk forced in the first run before Jackson Chourio hit a sacrifice fly to right.
Jordan Walker’s throw to the plate bounced off the helmet of Caleb Durbin to let another run score, and the final run of the inning scored on a fielder’s choice grounder, when Sal Frelick beat Willson Contreras’ throw to the plate.
In their three losses in Seattle plus Friday night’s game, the Cardinals have scored a combined nine runs in 40 innings.
Here is how Friday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: Both of the Cardinals’ runs scored in the sixth. Ivan Herrera was hit by a pitch and Alec Burleson followed with a triple off the top of the wall. He later scored on a single by Lars Nootbaar … Brendan Donovan returned from the injured list and had a single in four at-bats … Burleson also had a single in the first and he, Walker and Nootbaar all had a two-hit night.
On the mound: Pallante also allowed a run in the fourth on a single by Issac Collins and a double by Jake Bauers. He worked five innings, allowing four hits and walking four, as his season record fell to 6-14 … Christian Yelich hit a two-run homer off Jorge Alcala in the seventh and an error by Donovan led to an unearned run against Chris Roycroft in the eighth … The Cardinals only struck out two batters in the game, William Contreras in the seventh and Brice Turang in the eighth.
Key stat: The Cardinals were 2-of-10 with a runner in scoring position and during their four-game losing streak they are a combined 6-of-39 with a runner on second or third.
Worth noting: Nolan Arenado played six innings at third base for Springfield on Friday night and had a single in three at-bats … Masyn Winn was a late scratch again because of his sore knee, missing his third consecutive game, and manager Oli Marmol told reporters after the game that Winn’s season is over. He needs arthroscopic surgery on his right knee … With Donovan back and John King also coming off the IL, Jose Fermin and Nick Raquet were optioned to Memphis … Liam Doyle, the Cardinals’ top pick in the amateur draft in July, will make the second start of his career on Saturday night and his first for Springfield.
Up next: Sonny Gray will be the starter in the second game of the series on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. and the game will be televised by Fox.
