Brewers 6, Cardinals 0
The St. Louis Cardinals were shut out for the first time this season Tuesday night at American Family Field. Kyle Harrison held the Cardinals to four hits across six scoreless innings, and the Milwaukee Brewers pulled away with a five-run fifth to cruise to a 6-0 victory. Michael McGreevy took the loss for the Cardinals, allowing five earned runs in four innings. Garrett Mitchell delivered the big blow with a three-run home run, and William Contreras added two RBI. The Cardinals went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
Harrison Takes Control
Harrison was efficient and in command all evening. The Brewers starter held the Cardinals to four hits across six innings on 92 pitches, striking out two and walking none. The Cardinals had opportunities — seven hits on the night — but could not string anything together when it mattered. Bryan Torres was the most productive Cardinals hitter, going 2-for-4, but the Cardinals went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. The Brewers bullpen finished the job, with Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, and Grant Anderson combining for three scoreless innings to close it out.
A Fantastic Fifth
The game was scoreless through three innings before Bauers’ solo home run broke things open in the fourth. The fifth inning was where it turned into a rout. The Brewers sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs off McGreevy, chasing him from the game, though two of the five scored after McGreevy left the game. After Contreras’ two-run double, McGreevy gave way to the relief corps. In all, McGreevy allowed seven hits and five earned runs across four-plus innings on 89 pitches.
Ryan Fernandez entered in relief. He struck out Bauers before Mitchell smacked his three-run home run, pushing the deficit to six. Justin Bruihl and Matt Pushard combined for three scoreless innings after that, but the damage was long done.
What Went Right for the Brewers
Harrison’s Command
Harrison did not need to overpower the Cardinals. He worked efficiently through six innings, keeping the ball in play and trusting his defense. Two strikeouts and zero walks across six innings is the definition of a controlled, confident outing.
Mitchell’s Three-Run Homer
Mitchell went 1-for-4 but made his one hit count in the biggest way. His three-run blast in the fifth inning broke the game open. It was the knockout blow of the game.
Contreras Provides Cushion
Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored. His double in the fifth inning chased McGreevy from the game.
What Went Right for the Cardinals
Torres Shows Signs
Torres went 2-for-4 — one of the few Cardinals hitters to make consistent contact on the night. In a lineup that has struggled offensively over the past two games, Torres’s performance was an encouraging sign.
Relievers Hold the Line Late
Bruihl and Pushard combined for three scoreless innings after McGreevy’s exit. Bruihl struck out two in two scoreless innings and Pushard needed only 10 pitches for a perfect inning. Neither could change the ultimate outcome, but both provided stability in a difficult evening.
What Went Wrong for the Cardinals
McGreevy’s Rough Fifth
McGreevy kept the Cardinals in the game through three innings but ran out of steam in the fourth and fifth. Seven hits and five earned runs across four innings on 89 pitches left the Cardinals in an unwinnable position. His ERA now sits at 3.60 on the season, but the trend of short, damaging outings is a concern the Cardinals cannot ignore.
Runners Left on Base
Seven hits and zero runs tells the whole story. The Cardinals went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base. Against a first-place Brewers team, those missed opportunities were the difference between a competitive game and a shutout.
Back-to-Back Shutout Threat
The Cardinals have now been held to one run or fewer in three of their last five games. The offense has gone cold at the worst possible time, with a series against the Chicago Cubs looming this weekend.
Quick Hits
- The Cardinals fell to 29–24 with the loss, now three and a half games behind the first-place Brewers in the NL Central.
- Yelich went 3-for-5 with a double — his second consecutive multi-hit game.
- Bauers went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in one of his better outings of the season.
Looking Ahead
Kyle Harrison (6–1, 1.77 ERA) earned the win for the Brewers as Michael McGreevy (3-4, 3.60 ERA) took the loss for the Cardinals.
More Milwaukee Brewers Articles
More St. Louis Cardinals Articles
More MLB Articles
The Cardinals and Brewers wrap up their three-game series Wednesday, May 27 at 12:40 pm Central at American Family Field. Dustin May (3–5, 5.00 ERA) will take the mound for the Cardinals, and the Brewers’ starter will be Chad Patrick (2–1, 2.57 ERA).
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
- Categories
-
Milwaukee Brewers
St. Louis Cardinals
