W: Kevin Siegrist (2-1)
L: Tom Gorzelanny (3-5)
S: Edward Mujica (33)
HR: Aramis Ramirez (7), Logan Schafer (3), Carlos Beltran (22), Allen Craig (12), Matt Holliday (16)
MVP: John Axford (+.084 WPA)
LVP: Gorzelanny (-.369)
As has frequently been the case in 2013, the Brewers made it pretty clear early that they were not going to win this day game and left you the rest of the afternoon to take a nap or something.
This game went south in a big way in the second inning, when Tom Gorzelanny allowed two singles, a walk, a double to the pitcher, a sac fly and two home runs as the Cardinals ran out to a 7-0 lead. All told, the veteran lefty completed just 3.2 innings today and allowed seven runs on ten hits, walking one and striking out five. He's now allowed multiple home runs in back-to-back starts after allowing one or less in his first 39 appearances.
A funny thing happened after Gorzelanny left the game, though: The Brewers didn't give up. They got three runs back in the third inning on Aramis Ramirez's home run, just the sixth Jake Westbrook has allowed all year. They chased Westbrook from the game with two more runs in the fifth, and brought the go-ahead run to the plate with two outs in the eighth inning. Juan Francisco, who has struggled mightily lately, struck out to end the threat and the Brewers fell just short. Logan Schafer's solo home run in the ninth was too little, too late.
The fact that the Brewers had a chance to come back can largely be credited to the bullpen, as Donovan Hand, John Axford and Burke Badenhop combined to pitch 4.1 scoreless innings and allow just one hit. Michael Gonzalez allowed the Cardinals to collect an insurance run in the ninth with the fourth home run he's allowed in his last ten innings.
The Brewers are off tomorrow before traveling to Cincinnati to take on the Reds on Friday at 6:10.