Brewers survive late threat to win their sixth straight game

Frankie Montas pitched seven shutout innings of one-hit baseball

Box Score

When the Brewers and Cardinals play, it’s generally a good idea to throw out the expectations. It’s always going to be a competitive series no matter how the teams are doing. That continued tonight, as the Brewers built an early lead but the Cardinals rallied hard late. However, the Brewers had just enough to take their season-high sixth straight win.

Both starting pitchers (Frankie Montas and Erick Fedde) started out well, with both recording 1-2-3 innings to start the game. In the second, the Brewers got on the board. Two walks by Willy Adames and Tyler Black put two runners on base, and Sal Frelick brought Adames in with an RBI single. Frelick got to second on a steal, but Joey Ortiz popped out to end the threat.

The next two innings went by with early threats erased. Brice Turang led off the third with a single but was caught stealing. William Contreras then led off the fourth with a single but was erased when Adames hit into a double play. Alec Burleson of the Cardinals also had a one-out single in the fourth, but he was held there.

The Brewers added another run in the fifth. Frelick hit a one-out triple to put a runner in scoring position. Ortiz immediately brought him in with an RBI single, and the Brewers increased their lead to 2-0.

Milwaukee had another chance to add on in the sixth inning. Contreras singled with one out, and Black drew his second walk of the day to put two runners on base with two outs. That ended the day for Fedde, who allowed two runs on six hits, four walks, and two strikeouts in 5 ²⁄₃ innings. Shawn Armstrong came in and Rhys Hoskins hit a hard ball to short, but Masyn Winn made a diving stop and threw to first for the out. That likely prevented the Brewers from adding on a run.

The insurance run would come in the eighth inning against Cardinals reliever Kyle Leahy. Mitchell had a one-out single, and Contreras brought him in with an RBI double that just got past Victor Scott II. That run would be massive as the game went on.

The Brewers had a chance to add on more after Adames walked, but the Cardinals switched to John King. Pat Murphy countered by pinch-hitting Gary Sánchez over Tyler Black. It didn’t work as Sánchez grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Meanwhile, Montas completely shut the Cardinals down. Over seven innings, he allowed a grand total of two baserunners (one single and one walk). He ended his day at 89 pitches after keeping the Cardinals off the board through those seven innings.

Unfortunately, the bullpen could not replicate Montas’ good day. Nick Mears took the eighth to start. He allowed a single to Lars Nootbaar to start the inning but got Paul Goldschmidt to fly out and struck out Nolan Gorman. Mears had a path out of the inning, but Matt Carpenter homered instead. That changed the game from one the Brewers had in complete control to a nailbiter. The Cardinals kept up the rally with a Winn single, but Murphy went to Jared Koenig. He needed just three pitches (all strikes) to end the threat.

Following a quiet top of the ninth, Devin Williams came in for another one-run save opportunity. It started out well with Willson Contreras striking out. However, the tension built quickly after that. In the next three pitches, he allowed a single to Brendan Donovan and a double to Nolan Arenado. Following a mound visit, Williams intentionally walked Nootbaar to load the bases and set up the double play. Williams wouldn’t need it. He came back with some masterful performances against Goldschmidt and Gorman, striking out both to end the game.

William Contreras led the offense with a three-hit day and had an RBI. Frelick added on a two-hit day with an RBI as well. The offense combined for eight hits and five walks in the game. It wasn’t their best day with runners in scoring position, but they took advantage of enough opportunities to get the win.

With the win, the Cardinals fall 12 games behind the Brewers. The Reds also lost, pushing them to 13 back in the standings. The Cubs did win, so the lead in the division is now 11 ¹⁄₂ games as they move into second place.

In addition, the Phillies lost and the Brewers move into a tie for the second-best record in the National League. Also, the Dodgers are losing early at home against the Mariners. Should that result hold, the Brewers may end the day with a tie for the best winning percentage in the National League. Pending the Guardians-Yankees game (currently in extra innings) they could also move up to the best winning percentage in baseball.

Game two against the Cardinals will take place tomorrow evening. Tobias Myers will look to continue his strong season against Kyle Gibson of the Cardinals. First pitch is at 6:45 p.m., and it will be on Bally Sports Wisconsin, FS1, and the Brewers Radio Network.