Brewers take game two against St. Louis, 3-2

Box Score

After getting obliterated by the Cardinals in the opening game of the series 18-1, the Brewers looked to bounce back, with Wade Miley on the mound facing Jordan Montgomery. With the Brewers only a game in front of the Pirates for the lead in the NL Central heading into the game, beating the division rival Cardinals — who have been on a hot streak of their own — is that much more important.

The Milwaukee offense got going early, with back-to-back doubles from Owen Miller and Willy Adames to start the game, giving the Brewers an early 1-0 lead. Montgomery would escape the inning without allowing any further damage. New addition Darin Ruf who was signed earlier this week struck out in his first at-bat as a starter.

The Cardinals answered back in the bottom of the second, as perennial All-Star Nolan Arenado hit a solo home run to left field, tying the ballgame at 1-1. Miley exited the game later in the second with what the Brewers described as a left lat strain. It’s expected that he’ll go onto the injured list after further evaluation in Milwaukee.

The Cardinals added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Brendan Donovan hit a single to bring Tommy Edman home after he hit a two-out, two-strike double.

Milwaukee came back with a home run of their own in the top of the fifth, as rookie outfielder Joey Wiemer cranked a laser solo shot to center tying the game again, this time at 2-2. The Brewers took the lead for good in the top of the sixth inning, as Brian Anderson tallied another home run, this one also to center field, giving the Crew a 3-2 advantage.

Joel Payamps gave up two hits in the sixth inning but didn’t allow any runs. Peter Strzelecki got the eighth inning but Devin Williams replaced Strzelecki with just one out after he got in a jam with runners at the corners. Williams struck out one batter and forced a groundout to get out of the jam.

In the ninth, Williams nearly had a 1-2-3 inning, but a line drive to center from Willson Contreras was misplayed by Wiemer and Contreras ended up at second with a double. After an intentional walk to Arenado, Williams induced a game-ending groundout from Paul DeJong, completing Williams’ first career five-out save.

The bullpen stepped up in a major way after Miley’s early exit, allowing just one earned run across 7 ¹⁄₃ innings on six hits and six walks with nine strikeouts. Payamps earned the win with 1 ²⁄₃ innings of scoreless work while Williams got his sixth save of the season.

The final game of the series will be on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. on Bally Sports Wisconsin and 620 WTMJ. Corbin Burnes gets the start for the Brewers, while lefty Mathew Liberatore makes his season debut for St. Louis. For even more Brewers content, be sure to check out the Crew Talk podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and follow on Twitter @CrewTalkFFSN.