W: Edwin Jackson (11-9)
L: Shaun Marcum (11-5)
S: Fernando Salas (23)
HR: none
MVP: Nyjer Morgan (+.208)
LVP: Mark Kotsay (-.346)
Somewhere, Tom Haudricourt is complaining about the Brewers defense. And indeed he should, because it really failed the Crew tonight.
The game started off pretty slowly, with both teams being held scoreless through the first four innings. Then, in the fifth inning, the Cardinals got their first two runners on base via two Brewer errors, courtesy of Prince Fielder and Jerry Hairston Jr. Both runners would end up scoring after an Edwin Jackson RBI single and a Jon Jay sacrifice fly. The Crew was able to get out of the inning without further damage.
The Crew looked primed for a big inning when Corey Hart and Nyjer Morgan hit back-to-back double (both of which just barely missed making it over the wall) to lead off the fifth. Unfortunately, they would only end up getting one across, as Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Casey McGehee wewre retired in order after that.
Shaun Marcum ended up as the tough luck loser in tonight's game. He pitched a great game, allowing only four hits over seven innings. Both of his runs were unearned. Kameron Loe and Marco Estrada finished off the game, both pitching scoreless innings.
The ninth inning was mildly interesting, yet terribly predictable. After Prince Fielder and Casey McGehee reached base via walks to keep out hope alive. But that hope died quickly. Yuni Betancourt laid down a poor bunt and the Cards were able to get the lead runner out. Mark Kotsay pinch hit for Hairston grounded into a double play to end the game.