GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: ST LOUIS (73-84) at MILWAUKEE (81-76)

NL: ST LOUIS at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">ST LOUIS (7) VS MILWAUKEE (3) - FINAL

ST LOUIS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
B Ryan ss 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 .293
b-S Spiezio ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .264
R Franklin p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500
J Isringhausen p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R Ankiel cf 5 0 0 0 0 1 5 .276
B Barden ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .182
A Pujols 1b 3 3 2 1 1 0 1 .325
R Ludwick rf 5 0 1 2 0 2 3 .270
S Schumaker lf 5 1 2 0 0 1 2 .319
M Cairo 3b 3 1 0 0 2 0 1 .271
K Stinnett c 2 1 0 1 2 1 1 .176
B Thompson p 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 .167
a-R Branyan ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .196
B Falkenborg p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R Flores p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-J Edmonds ph 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .248
d-S Taguchi ph-cf 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 .290
A Miles 2b 4 1 2 1 0 1 1 .298

Totals 33 7 9 7 7 9 15

a-struck out swinging for B Thompson in the 7th; b-walked for B Ryan in the
8th; c-hit for B Thompson in the 8th; d-hit a ground rule double to deep
center for J Edmonds in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - R Ludwick (22, C Villanueva); S Taguchi (14, B Shouse). HR - A
Pujols (32, 1st inning off C Villanueva 0 on, 2 Out). S - B Ryan. RBI - A
Pujols (100), R Ludwick 2 (51), K Stinnett (5), S Taguchi 2 (27), A Miles (32).
2-out RBI - A Pujols, R Ludwick 2, K Stinnett, S Taguchi 2, A Miles. Runners
left in scoring position, 2 out - R Ankiel 2, S Schumaker 1. GIDP - K Stinnett.
Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: CS - S Schumaker (1, 2nd base by C Villanueva/D Miller).

FIELDING: E - M Cairo (1, ground ball); K Stinnett (4, throw). DP: 1 (M
Cairo-A Pujols).


MILWAUKEE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Weeks 2b 4 1 0 0 1 1 2 .233
J Hardy ss 5 1 1 0 0 0 2 .276
R Braun 3b 5 0 3 3 0 1 1 .325
P Fielder 1b 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 .290
C Hart rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 7 .292
G Jenkins lf 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .260
B Hall cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .257
D Miller c 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .240
C Villanueva p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .077
a-T Gwynn Jr ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
S Linebrink p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R King p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
S McClung p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Turnbow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Shouse p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Spurling p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G Aquino p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-J Dillon ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .353

Totals 34 3 6 3 4 7 18

a-grounded to third for C Villanueva in the 6th; b-struck out swinging for G
Aquino in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - R Braun 2 (24, B Thompson 2). RBI - R Braun 3 (94). 2-out RBI - R
Braun 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - B Hall 2, C Hart 3, C
Villanueva 1. GIDP - D Miller. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Braun-R Weeks-P Fielder).


----------------------------------------------------
ST LOUIS - 102 000 040 -- 7
MILWAUKEE - 110 000 001 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS ip h r er bb so hr era
B Thompson (W, 8-6) 6 5 2 0 3 3 0 4.73
B Falkenborg (H, 1) 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.19
R Flores (H, 14) 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.33
R Franklin 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.76
J Isringhausen 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 2.43

MILWAUKEE ip h r er bb so hr era
C Villanueva (L, 8-5) 6 5 3 3 4 3 1 3.99
S Linebrink 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 3.56
R King 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.70
S McClung 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 4.66
D Turnbow 1/3 1 3 3 2 1 0 4.63
B Shouse 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3.02
C Spurling 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.66
G Aquino 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 4.85

S McClung pitched to 1 batter in the 8th.
B Shouse pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.

IBB - A Pujols (by C Villanueva). HBP - P Fielder (by B Thompson); B Hall (by
B Thompson); A Pujols (by S McClung). Pitches-strikes: B Thompson 93-63; B
Falkenborg 4-3; R Flores 11-6; R Franklin 13-8; J Isringhausen 28-19; C
Villanueva 85-51; S Linebrink 15-11; R King 3-2; S McClung 1-0; D Turnbow 19-8;
B Shouse 11-6; C Spurling 7-2; G Aquino 13-10. Ground balls-fly balls: B
Thompson 10-6; B Falkenborg 0-1; R Flores 0-1; R Franklin 0-1; J Isringhausen
1-1; C Villanueva 10-4; S Linebrink 0-0; R King 0-1; S McClung 0-0; D Turnbow
0-0; B Shouse 0-0; C Spurling 0-1; G Aquino 1-0. Batters faced: B Thompson 29;
B Falkenborg 1; R Flores 2; R Franklin 3; J Isringhausen 5; C Villanueva 25; S
Linebrink 3; R King 1; S McClung 1; D Turnbow 4; B Shouse 2; C Spurling 2; G
Aquino 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Tom Hallion. 1B--Bruce Dreckman. 2B--Phil Cuzzi. 3B--Tim Welke.
EJECTIONS: MILWAUKEE's Mcclung by Hallion (8th), MILWAUKEE's Yost by Hallion (8th).
T--3:12. Att--32,411.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
ST LOUIS 7
MILWAUKEE 3 FINAL</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ST LOUIS (7) AT MILWAUKEE (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ST LOUIS 1ST: B Ryan struck out swinging. R Ankiel grounded out to first.
A Pujols homered to right. R Ludwick flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, MILWAUKEE 0.

MILWAUKEE 1ST: R Weeks grounded out to shortstop. J Hardy safe at first on
error by third baseman M Cairo. R Braun doubled to left, J Hardy scored.
P Fielder walked. C Hart grounded into fielder's choice to third, R Braun out at
third, P Fielder to second. G Jenkins walked, P Fielder to third, C Hart to
second. B Hall grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, G Jenkins out at
second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) ST LOUIS 1, MILWAUKEE 1.

MILWAUKEE 2ND: D Miller reached on infield single to shortstop.
C Villanueva sacrificed to catcher, D Miller to second, C Villanueva safe at
first on throwing error by catcher K Stinnett. R Weeks struck out swinging.
J Hardy grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, C Villanueva out at second,
D Miller to third. R Braun doubled to deep left, D Miller scored, J Hardy to
third. P Fielder hit by pitch. C Hart flied out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
1 Error) ST LOUIS 1, MILWAUKEE 2.

ST LOUIS 3RD: A Miles singled to right. B Ryan sacrificed to third,
A Miles to second. R Ankiel struck out swinging. A Pujols intentionally walked.
R Ludwick doubled to deep left, A Miles and A Pujols scored, R Ludwick to
third advancing on throw. S Schumaker grounded out to first. (2 Runs, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, MILWAUKEE 2.

ST LOUIS 8TH: R King relieved S Linebrink. R Ankiel flied out to center.
S McClung relieved R King. A Pujols hit by pitch. Milwaukee's S Mcclung ejected
by T Hallion. Milwaukee's Manager N Yost ejected by T Hallion. D Turnbow relieved
S McClung. R Ludwick struck out swinging. S Schumaker singled to left center,
A Pujols to second. M Cairo walked, A Pujols to third, S Schumaker to second.
K Stinnett walked, A Pujols scored, S Schumaker to third, M Cairo to second.
J Edmonds hit for R Flores. B Shouse relieved D Turnbow. S Taguchi hit for J Edmonds.
S Taguchi hit a ground rule double to deep center, S Schumaker and M Cairo scored,
K Stinnett to third. A Miles reached on infield single to third, K Stinnett scored,
S Taguchi to third. C Spurling relieved B Shouse. S Spiezio hit for B Ryan. S Spiezio walked, A Miles to second. R Ankiel fouled out to third. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
ST LOUIS 7, MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 9TH: J Isringhausen relieved R Franklin. J Dillon hit for
G Aquino. J Dillon struck out swinging. R Weeks walked. J Hardy flied out to
right. R Weeks to second on fielder's indifference. R Braun singled to center,
R Weeks scored. P Fielder grounded out to first. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
ST LOUIS 7, MILWAUKEE 3.</div>

 

NL: ST LOUIS at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ST LOUIS (7) AT MILWAUKEE (3) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

St Louis Starting Lineups -- B Ryan SS, R Ankiel CF, A Pujols 1B, R Ludwick RF,
S Schumaker LF, M Cairo 3B, K Stinnett C, A Miles 2B, B Thompson RHP.

Milwaukee Starting Lineups -- R Weeks 2B, J Hardy SS, R Braun 3B, P Fielder 1B,
C Hart RF, G Jenkins LF, B Hall CF, D Miller C, C Villanueva RHP.

Umpires -- Tom Hallion (HP), Bruce Dreckman (1B), Phil Cuzzi (2B), Tim Welke (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


ST LOUIS 1ST: B Ryan struck out swinging. R Ankiel grounded out to first.
A Pujols homered to right. R Ludwick flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, MILWAUKEE 0.

MILWAUKEE 1ST: R Weeks grounded out to shortstop. J Hardy safe at first on
error by third baseman M Cairo. R Braun doubled to left, J Hardy scored.
P Fielder walked. C Hart grounded into fielder's choice to third, R Braun out at
third, P Fielder to second. G Jenkins walked, P Fielder to third, C Hart to
second. B Hall grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, G Jenkins out at
second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) ST LOUIS 1, MILWAUKEE 1.

ST LOUIS 2ND: S Schumaker grounded out to second. M Cairo flied out to
left. K Stinnett walked. B Thompson grounded into fielder's choice to third,
K Stinnett out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 1, MILWAUKEE 1.

MILWAUKEE 2ND: D Miller reached on infield single to shortstop.
C Villanueva sacrificed to catcher, D Miller to second, C Villanueva safe at
first on throwing error by catcher K Stinnett. R Weeks struck out swinging.
J Hardy grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, C Villanueva out at second,
D Miller to third. R Braun doubled to deep left, D Miller scored, J Hardy to
third. P Fielder hit by pitch. C Hart flied out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
1 Error) ST LOUIS 1, MILWAUKEE 2.

ST LOUIS 3RD: A Miles singled to right. B Ryan sacrificed to third,
A Miles to second. R Ankiel struck out swinging. A Pujols intentionally walked.
R Ludwick doubled to deep left, A Miles and A Pujols scored, R Ludwick to
third advancing on throw. S Schumaker grounded out to first. (2 Runs, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 3RD: G Jenkins singled to right center. B Hall hit by pitch,
G Jenkins to second. D Miller grounded into double play, third to first,
G Jenkins out at third, B Hall to second. C Villanueva struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, MILWAUKEE 2.

ST LOUIS 4TH: M Cairo grounded out to third. K Stinnett struck out
swinging. B Thompson singled to left. A Miles grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 4TH: R Weeks popped out to shortstop. J Hardy singled to center.
R Braun struck out swinging. P Fielder walked, J Hardy to second. C Hart
fouled out to catcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, MILWAUKEE 2.

ST LOUIS 5TH: B Ryan walked. R Ankiel flied out to right. A Pujols flied
out to left. R Ludwick grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, B Ryan out
at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 5TH: G Jenkins grounded out to second. B Hall flied out to
center. D Miller lined out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3,
MILWAUKEE 2.

ST LOUIS 6TH: S Schumaker singled to deep right center. S Schumaker caught
stealing second, catcher to second. M Cairo walked. K Stinnett grounded into
double play, third to second to first, M Cairo out at second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 6TH: T Gwynn Jr hit for C Villanueva. T Gwynn Jr grounded out to
third. R Weeks grounded out to shortstop. J Hardy flied out to right.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, MILWAUKEE 2.

ST LOUIS 7TH: S Linebrink relieved C Villanueva. R Branyan hit for
B Thompson. R Branyan struck out swinging. A Miles struck out swinging. B Ryan
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 7TH: B Falkenborg relieved B Thompson. R Braun flied out to
center. R Flores relieved B Falkenborg. P Fielder flied out to center. C Hart
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 3, MILWAUKEE 2.

ST LOUIS 8TH: R King relieved S Linebrink. R Ankiel flied out to center.
S McClung relieved R King. A Pujols hit by pitch. Milwaukee's S Mcclung ejected
by T Hallion. Milwaukee's Manager N Yost ejected by T Hallion. D Turnbow relieved
S McClung. R Ludwick struck out swinging. S Schumaker singled to left center,
A Pujols to second. M Cairo walked, A Pujols to third, S Schumaker to second.
K Stinnett walked, A Pujols scored, S Schumaker to third, M Cairo to second.
J Edmonds hit for R Flores. B Shouse relieved D Turnbow. S Taguchi hit for J Edmonds.
S Taguchi hit a ground rule double to deep center, S Schumaker and M Cairo scored,
K Stinnett to third. A Miles reached on infield single to third, K Stinnett scored,
S Taguchi to third. C Spurling relieved B Shouse. S Spiezio hit for B Ryan. S Spiezio walked, A Miles to second. R Ankiel fouled out to third. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
ST LOUIS 7, MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 8TH: R Franklin relieved R Flores. B Barden at shortstop.
S Taguchi in center field. G Jenkins popped out to shortstop. B Hall struck out
swinging. D Miller struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) ST LOUIS 7,
MILWAUKEE 2.

ST LOUIS 9TH: G Aquino relieved C Spurling. A Pujols singled to center.
R Ludwick struck out looking. S Schumaker struck out swinging. M Cairo grounded
into fielder's choice to third, A Pujols out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) ST LOUIS 7, MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 9TH: J Isringhausen relieved R Franklin. J Dillon hit for
G Aquino. J Dillon struck out swinging. R Weeks walked. J Hardy flied out to
right. R Weeks to second on fielder's indifference. R Braun singled to center,
R Weeks scored. P Fielder grounded out to first. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
ST LOUIS 7, MILWAUKEE 3.</div>

 

Cardinals throw dagger in Brewers' postseason hopes

<h3>ST LOUIS 7, MILWAUKEE 3</h3>By Dave Cotey
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers squandered anopportunity to accomplish two major goals, and now time isrunning out for both.


The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Brewers, 7-3, on Wednesdayat Miller Park, preventing Milwaukee from locking up its firstwinning season since 1992.


More importantly, the loss kept the Brewers (81-77) from gaininga game on the National League Central Division-leading ChicagoCubs (83-75), who lost to the Florida Marlins on Wednesday butsaw their magic number shrink to three with Milwaukee's defeat.

Righthander Brad Thompson (8-6) did not allow an earned run oversix innings, and Ryan Ludwick and So Taguchi each hit two-rundoubles to lead the Cardinals past the Brewers, who remained twogames behind the Cubs with four remaining.


Milwaukee scored single runs in both the first and secondinnings against Thompson on a pair of doubles by Ryan Braun, butSt. Louis answered right back with two in the third.

Aaron Miles led off with a single off Brewers starter CarlosVillanueva (8-5) and moved to second on Brendan Ryan'ssacrifice. After Rick Ankiel struck out swinging, Albert Pujolswas walked intentionally.


Ludwick made that strategy backfire with a two-run double intothe left field corner.


The Cardinals broke open the game, and broke the Brewers' backs,with a four-run eighth inning highlighted by Taguchi's two-outpinch double.


St. Louis jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Pujols belted his 32ndhome run down the right field line, giving the first baseman 100RBI for the seventh consecutive season.


The Brewers got just four runners past first after the secondinning against Thompson and relievers Brian Falkenborg, RandyFlores, Ryan Franklin and Jason Isringhausen.


Bad blood boiled between the teams as their star sluggers werehit with pitches. Prince Fielder, the NL leader with 50 homeruns, was hit by Thompson in the second inning, after which bothteams were warned by plate umpire Tom Hallion.


In the top of the eighth, Brewers reliever Seth McClung hitPujols in the back with the only pitch he threw in the game.The righthander, along with Milwaukee manager Ned Yost, wereejected.


On Tuesday, Yost, Milwaukee bench coach Dale Sveum and St. Louismanager Tony La Russa exchanged heated words from theirrespective dugouts after Brewers starter Jeff Suppan nearly hitPujols with a pitch during a 9-1 victory.


Thompson scattered five hits, walking three and striking outthree. He also hit two batters.


Villanueva also pitched six innings and allowed three runs andfive hits while walking four and striking out three.

The Brewers left the bases loaded in the first two innings andstranded a total of nine runners through four frames before St.Louis' pitching settled down to retire 14 straight batters.

 

Cardinals throw dagger in Brewers' postseason hopes

<h3>ST LOUIS 7, MILWAUKEE 3</h3>By David Cotey
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - The Milwaukee Brewers squandered anopportunity to accomplish two major goals, and now time isrunning out for both.


The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Brewers, 7-3, on Wednesdayat Miller Park, preventing Milwaukee from locking up its firstwinning season since 1992.


More importantly, the loss kept the Brewers (81-77) from gaininga game on the National League Central Division-leading ChicagoCubs (83-75), who lost to the Florida Marlins on Wednesday butsaw their magic number shrink to three with Milwaukee's defeat.

"You can't lose hope," Brewers starter Carlos Villanueva said."We'll see what happens. It doesn't matter (if the Cubs lose)if we don't win. We have to keep the pressure on them."

Righthander Brad Thompson (8-6) did not allow an earned run oversix innings, and Albert Pujols homered to lead the Cardinalspast the Brewers, who remained two games behind the Cubs withfour remaining.


Pujols became the first player in major league history to haveat least 30 home runs and 100 RBI in his first seven seasons.

"We still have the math on our side," Brewers manager Ned Yostsaid.


Milwaukee scored single runs in both the first and secondinnings against Thompson on a pair of doubles by rookie RyanBraun, but St. Louis answered right back with two in the third.

Aaron Miles led off with a single off Villanueva (8-5) and movedto second on Brendan Ryan's sacrifice. After Rick Ankielstruck out swinging, Pujols was walked intentionally. RyanLudwick made that strategy backfire with a two-run double intothe left field corner.


"We got beat up the first two games, and it's real easy thislast week of the season to say we just don't have enough goingfor us and get embarrassed again," Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa said. "We weren't going to do it. That's not how weplayed all year."


The Cardinals broke open the game - and broke the Brewers' backs- with a four-run eighth inning highlighted by So Taguchi'stwo-out pinch double.


St. Louis jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Pujols belted his 32ndhome run down the right field line, giving the first baseman 100RBI for the seventh consecutive season.


"That's tough to do consistently every year, but I wish I couldtrade it in and be in the postseason next month," Pujols said."That's what it's all about. I don't play for numbers, buthopefully I can continue to do that."


The Brewers got just four runners past first after the secondinning against Thompson and relievers Brian Falkenborg, RandyFlores, Ryan Franklin and Jason Isringhausen.


Bad blood boiled between the teams as their star sluggers werehit with pitches. Prince Fielder, the NL leader with 50 homeruns, was hit by Thompson in the second inning, after which bothteams were warned by plate umpire Tom Hallion.


In the top of the eighth, Brewers reliever Seth McClung hitPujols in the back with the only pitch he threw in the game.McClung and Yost were ejected.


Allowing Pujols to reach opened the door to a big inning for St.Louis, and the Brewers claimed it was not a retaliation pitch.

"The ball just got away from me," McClung said. "Sometimes Ioverthrow. It got away from me and hit him. We're trying towin ballgames. I tried to get inside, and it hit him."

On Tuesday, Yost, Milwaukee bench coach Dale Sveum and La Russaexchanged heated words from their respective dugouts afterBrewers starter Jeff Suppan nearly hit Pujols with a pitchduring a 9-1 victory.


Thompson scattered five hits, walking three and striking outthree. He also hit two batters.


Villanueva also pitched six innings and allowed three runs andfive hits while walking four and striking out three.

The Brewers left the bases loaded in the first two innings andstranded a total of nine runners through four frames before St.Louis' pitching settled down to retire 14 straight batters.

"It was just one of those days where we were unable to get thebig hit," Braun said. "We're in situation where we no longercontrol our own destiny, so it's a must-win every day. TheMarlins took care of business and we weren't able to takeadvantage, unfortunately."