The Brewers never had a chance. Five Cardinals runs in the first four innings put Milwaukee in a deep hole en route to a dominant 12-3 victory to tie the series at one game apiece.
This game was pretty much the Albert Pujols show. Pujols drove in the first five Cardinals runs of the game, and would finish with four hits and three runs scored, along with four extra base hits (three doubles, and a homer). Despite having a lead for the entire game, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa still managed like it was a one run affair; he ended up using six members of his bullpen after pulling starter Edwin Jackson after 4 1/3 innings.
It was another rough night for Brewers starter Shaun Marcum, who made it through just four innings and allowed five runs. Milwaukee’s bullpen allowed seven runs in five innings, with LaTroy Hawkins being the only pitcher escaping unscathed. Milwaukee’s offense revolved around Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, who had three of the team’s four extra base hits, and two of their three runs scored.
St Louis got some help from the bottom of their order too. Yadier Molina, David Freese and Nick Punto all had two hits and combined for five RBI. And hitting in front of Pujols, Jon Jay had a good time, getting three hits and scoring three runs. The Cardinals put 17 hits on the board, with just two coming from Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday.
Off day tomorrow, and then the series goes to St Louis on Wednesday for game three. It’ll be a good pitching matchup, with Chris Carpenter and Yovani Gallardo going at it. First pitch is at 8:05.
