Brewers 2, Cardinals 1
The St. Louis Cardinals dropped their third consecutive game to the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday afternoon at American Family Field, falling 2-1 to complete a three-game series sweep. Dustin May was brilliant, carrying a no-hitter into the eighth. He struck out nine across seven-plus scoreless innings, but it was not enough. The Cardinals struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position throughout the afternoon. Aaron Ashby earned the win in relief and Trevor Megill closed it out for the save, with the loss falling to May.
May Deals, Cardinals Can’t Cash In
Wednesday was as good as May has looked all season. He held the Brewers hitless across seven scoreless innings, striking out nine and walking none. He lost the no-hitter in the eighth before departing after 87 pitches, with Romero allowing the inherited runners to score.
Even so, the Cardinals had every opportunity to win this game. Eight hits and consistent baserunners throughout the afternoon suggested a productive offense. However, the problem was they could not deliver when it mattered. The Cardinals repeatedly failed to deliver the timely hit they needed — a performance that defined the series sweep more than any single moment could.
Bryan Torres drove in the Cardinals’ only run with a fourth-inning triple. Jordan Walker, who scored on the triple, went 2-for-4 and was the most productive hitter in the lineup. Meanwhile, JJ Wetherholt added a double and Pedro Pagés chipped in a double as well, but none of it amounted to anything, as the Cardinals were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Brewers Steal It in the Eighth
Chad Patrick started for the Brewers and kept the Cardinals off balance through four innings, allowing one earned run on five hits with four strikeouts on 61 pitches. After Patrick’s exit, Shane Drohan, Ashby, and Megill combined to hold the Cardinals scoreless the rest of the way.
The Brewers manufactured their two runs in the eighth inning. Garrett Mitchell led off with a double before Luis Rengifo reached on a bunt single. After May left and Romero entered, Christian Yelich followed with an RBI single to tie the game at one. Later in the inning, Jackson Chourio reached on a ground ball misplayed by Masyn Winn, allowing the go-ahead run to score.
What Went Right for the Brewers
Bullpen Dominated
After Patrick’s four-inning start, Drohan, Ashby, and Megill combined for five scoreless innings, striking out four and walking one. As a result, the Brewers relief corps gave the lineup exactly enough time to manufacture the two runs needed for the victory.
Yelich Delivers the Tying RBI
Yelich went 1-for-4 but made his one hit count. Specifically, his RBI single in the eighth tied the game and ignited the Brewers’ go-ahead rally. It was the kind of situational hitting the Cardinals could not replicate all afternoon.
What Went Right for the Cardinals
May Was Exceptional
Nine strikeouts across seven scoreless and hitless innings — May delivered the kind of start the Cardinals rotation has been starving for all season. One earned run allowed, and that was inherited by his reliever. As a result, his ERA now sits at 4.50 on the season. Wednesday was a performance worth building on.
Walker Stays Productive
Walker went 2-for-4 and continues his productive stretch at the plate. Furthermore, he has now reached base in 10 consecutive games.
What Went Wrong for the Cardinals
Runners Left Stranded
The Cardinals collected eight hits on the afternoon but struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position in a one-run game. Of the seven runners they left on base, six were in scoring position. Furthermore, five of those six were left on third base. Opportunities came and went throughout the afternoon, and they could not deliver the key hit they needed.
Swept at the Worst Possible Time
The Cardinals have now been swept in a three-game series by the first-place Brewers. As a result, they fell to 29–25 on the season and now sit four and a half games behind the Brewers in the NL Central — with a Chicago Cubs series beginning Friday.
Quick Hits
- The Cardinals are now tied with the Cincinnati Reds for second in the NL Central.
- Torres’ triple in the fourth inning was the Cardinals’ only RBI hit of the afternoon.
- Mitchell went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored — the Brewers’ most productive offensive performer on the afternoon.
Looking Ahead
Aaron Ashby (9-0, 2.17 ERA) earned the win for the Brewers as Dustin May (3-6, 4.50 ERA) took the loss for the Cardinals. Trevor Megill earned the save.
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The Cardinals open a three-game home series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, May 29 at 6:15 pm Central at Busch Stadium. Kyle Leahy (5–3, 4.44 ERA, 10 GS) will start for the Cardinals. As of press time, the Cubs had yet to announce a starter.
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