Cardinals Take 2-1 Series Lead, Squeak by Brewers 4-3

The starters didn’t get the job done, but that’s what the bullpen is for!

Carpenter coming off a complete game shutout of the Phillies and Gallardo only having allowed two runs in 14 innings this post season had people thinking pitchers' duel. That was quickly thrown out the window as the offenses showed their prowess.

The scoring started early for both clubs. With RBIs from Jon Jay, Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and David Freese in the first, the Cards jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead. The Brewers answered back in the next half inning with an RBI single from Yuniesky Betancourt and a sacrifice fly from the Brewers starter, Gallardo trimming the lead to two runs. Mark Kotsay also contributed, hitting a solo home run in the third to bring the game back to a one run deficit.

Gallardo settled down after the first and was able to keep the Cards off the board for the next four innings before being relieved by LaTroy Hawkins.  Carpenter also made it through five innings only allowing those three runs before he was relieved by Fernando Salas.

Although the starters didn’t have their A-games tonight, the bullpens of both clubs were able to more than pick up the slack. Hawkins, Takashi Saito, and Chris Narveson kept the Cardinals silent and gave the Brewers a chance to come back. However, Salas, Lance Lynn, Marc Rzepczynski, and Jason Motte retired the last 12 straight Brewers to hold on for the close win.

This gives the underdog, wild-card Cardinals a 2-1 series lead.  Game four in St. Louis is scheduled for Thursday October 13th, first pitch at 8:05pm. The starters in that match-up will be Randy Wolf for the Brewers and Kyle Loshe for the Cardinals.  You can hear that game, and the rest of the MLB playoffs on 104.5 “The Team” ESPN Radio!