Brewers can’t complete comeback in 3-2 loss to Cardinals

Patrick impressive again, but it’s not enough as offense stalls

Box Score

The Milwaukee Brewers lost a game that provided them several chances at a comeback. But each time, their offensive run was quenched, and the breakthrough never came as they fell 3-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals.

It started with another impressive game from Chad Patrick. While the box score wasn’t sterling, he put together some notable moments. He finished on just 70 pitches, going 4 ¹⁄₃ innings while allowing two earned runs. In the third inning, though, Patrick showed he can help himself get out of a jam. He didn’t have any strikeouts to that point, but with speedster Victor Scott reaching third base that inning, Patrick was able to secure two strikeouts to strand the runner.

He didn’t have much wipeout stuff this game. He only got four swinging strikes all game, but it was a commendable start. He gave up nine hard-hit balls and still escaped mostly unscathed.

In the fourth inning, Jackson Chourio had an opportunity to throw out a runner at home. The throw was on time, but off line, giving the Cardinals their first run. The next run the Cardinals scored was one of Patrick’s inherited runners when Lars Nootbaar hit an RBI single against reliever Tyler Alexander. Alexander gave up two more hits to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead after five frames.

Before I go any further: After the fourth inning, outfielder Garrett Mitchell was removed with left oblique soreness. Isaac Collins came in as his replacement and made a diving play the following inning. It’s unclear how severe the injury is, and if it’ll keep him shelved for an extended period. Stay tuned for more details.

While the Cardinals scraped three runs across, the Brewers’ offense was slower in finding their openings. They didn’t score until the sixth inning. Matthew Liberatore was still in the game for St. Louis, at one point retiring 13 straight Milwaukee batters. With two outs in the sixth, Chourio doubled, and Christian Yelich followed with a single to bring him home as Milwaukee cut into the lead.

The next inning was the Brewers’ best chance at a comeback. Sal Frelick initiated the potential rally when third baseman Nolan Arenado dropped a foul ball, giving Frelick a second chance with which he hit a double. Trailing 3-1, the Brewers loaded the bases with no outs. Jake Bauers entered as a pinch-hitter for Joey Ortiz. He hit a weak ball to the right side, allowing the runner to score, but the rally ended when the next two batters failed to get a hit.

With the score at 3-2, the Brewers were still well within reach and managed another opportunity, but fell flat again in the eighth. Chourio singled, and William Contreras hit a hard single to move Chourio to third with only one out. Frelick hit a chopped ground ball to Arenado, who made a stunning play with his momentum pulling him away from the play to get Chourio out at home. That was the sealing moment for St. Louis, the last chance the Brewers truly developed. The ninth inning ended when Cardinals’ closer Ryan Helsey got a double play and a lineout to center.

While there wasn’t enough offensive production to overcome the deficit, the bullpen held its ground at the back end of the game. Craig Yoho and Grant Anderson combined for 2 ²⁄₃ shutout innings.

There was a flurry of missed chances for the Brewers, but they’ll look to rebound in the series tomorrow. Their Saturday game is set for a 1:15 p.m. CT first pitch. Quinn Priester is slated to face off against Sonny Gray.