Read More: Kyle Lohse (P – STL), Mark Buehrle (P – CWS), Albert Pujols (1B – STL), St. Louis Cardinals, Florida Marlins

According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the St. Louis Cardinals are shopping for a suitor take on RHP Kyle Lohse. The trade, says Rogers, is intended to free up a rotation spot and roster space for a potential Mark Buehrle signing:

… the source indicated that the Cardinals are trying to make room for Buehrle by trading right-hander Kyle Lohse… He’s had an up-and-down career and is due to make $11.875 million this season, however, which lessens his desirability considerably.

The 33-year-old Lohse finished last season with an above-average 3.39 ERA and 3.67 FIP through 188 and 1/3 innings.

The Cardinals are also currently engaged in a bidding war against the Miami Marlins for the services of Albert Pujols. However, but replacing Lohse with Buehrle, they are almost certainly reducing their available budget for Pujols.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Cardinals be sure to visit Viva El Birdos. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

ST. LOUIS — The World Champion St. Louis Cardinals on Monday announced their minor-league coaching and training staffs for the 2012 season.

Ron “Pop” Warner has been promoted from his managerial position at Class AA Springfield (Mo.) of the Texas League to the manager’s position at Class AAA Memphis of the Pacific Coast League.

Warner replaces Chris Maloney, who will be the Cardinals’ first-base coach at the major-league level next season. Warner has been managing at Springfield since 2007, advancing to the league championship in 2007. His high-Class A Palm Beach club won the Florida State League Championship in 2005.

Mike Shildt takes over for Warner at Springfield after leading his rookie-level Johnson City team to back-to-back Appalachian League titles in 2010 and 2011 –the Cardinals’ first repeat titles in that league since 1975-76.

Shildt, 42, has been a member of the Cardinals’ minor-league field staff for each of the past six seasons.

Johnny Rodriguez and Luis Aguayo will swap their managerial duties in 2012, with Rodriguez going to Palm Beach and Aguayo to low-Class A Quad Cities of the Midwest League. Last season, Rodriguez and the Quad Cities River Bandits won the team’s first league title since 1990.

Oliver Marmol will take over as Johnson City manager after serving as the hitting coach for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals last season. Dann Bilardello returns as manager at Class A Batavia and Steve Turco at rookie-level Gulf Coast.

The Cardinals minor-league hitting coach assignments remain the same for 2012, as do most of the pitching coaches.

Arthur “Ace” Adams will now serve as Quad Cities pitching coach, Dernier Orozco will handle Batavia pitching coach duties and Tim Leveque will serve as pitching coach for both the GCL Cardinals and Jupiter, Fla., complex pitching rehabilitation.

“We’re excited about the staff we’ve assembled for the 2012 season,” said Cardinals Farm Director John Vuch. “We enjoyed many special moments last season, including championships by both Quad Cities and Johnson City. Our staff is looking forward to the upcoming season with both the growth opportunities within the manager and coaching ranks, but also the continuity that this group offers.”

Read More: Albert Pujols (1B – STL), St. Louis Cardinals, Florida Marlins

According Jon Heyman, the Miami Herald suggested this morning that the Miami Marlins believe Albert Pujols may have lied about his age:

@SI_JonHeyman: Dan lebatard writes in miami herald, marlins believe pujols is older than 31. me: wonder if they asked him that question (doubt it)

A free agent this offseason, Pujols has long been one of the league’s most durable and effective first baseman. He has played over 140 games in every season starting in 2001, collecting an impressive 445 home runs to go with a .328/.420/.617 slash.

Albert Pujols has played each of his 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, but several teams, including the Cards and Marlins, have been courting Pujols. According to the league records, Pujols was 21 when he entered the league in 2001, making him 32 at the beginning of next year.

Reports of the Marlins’ suspicion have yet to be confirmed.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Cardinals be sure to visit Viva El Birdos. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ improbable run toward the National League Wildcard took another big step backward Friday night as the Chicago Cubs scored four runs in the final two innings to win 5-1 at Busch Stadium.

The Cards’ loss, coupled with Atlanta’s 7-4 win over Washington, pushed the Cardinals three games behind Atlanta in the wildcard race with five to play.  It also means Milwaukee, with its 4-1 win over Florida, has clinched its first National League Central Division crown and its first division championship since 1982 (when the Brewers played in the American League).

The Redbirds jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd when starting pitcher Chris Carpenter laid down a bunt on a suicide squeeze play, scoring Skip Schumaker from third. It was the first time St. Louis squeezed home a runner at Busch Stadium since the final weekend of the 2010 season.

The Cubs tied the game 1-1 in the top of the 6th on Carlos Pena’s RBI double. It was the only run Carpenter gave up. The Cards’ starter also allowed five hits in seven innings, striking out five while allowing two walks.

In the 8th, Chicago’s Darwin Barney started the inning with a triple off reliever Kyle McClellan (12-7). After Bryan LaHair grounded out to Albert Pujols, Carlos Pena was walked intentionally, setting the stage for the shot that silenced the crowd of just over 40,000. Alfonso Soriano belted a three run homer over the left field wall, giving his team a 4-1 lead.

The Cubs added another run in the 9th off reliever Mitchell Boggs. Starlin Castro singled in Tony Campana, making the score 5-1.

Jeff Samardzija (8-4) pitched one scoreless inning in relief of Cubs’ starter Ryan Dempster to earn the win.

The Cardinals continue their final home series of 2011 Saturday afternoon, with first pitch at 12:10 against the Cubs. Kyle Lohse (14-8) will pitch for St. Louis against Chicago’s Rodrigo Lopez (6-6).

Game Notes:

The Cardinals grounded into three double plays Friday night, giving them 165 for the year. The next twin killing the Cards hit into will tie the National League record of 166, set by the 1958 Cardinals.

Friday’s announced attendance of 40,335 put the Cardinals over three million fans for the eighth consecutive season and the 15th time in club history.

“Today’s loss isn’t because we didn’t hit,” left fielder Logan Morrison said. “It isn’t because we didn’t pitch. It’s because we didn’t play defense.”

Pinch hitter Corey Patterson’s popup to shallow left fell for a double in the sixth inning after Morrison and shortstop Emilio Bonifacio nearly collided trying to make the catch. The Cardinals went on to score three times for a 4-2 lead.

“Those outfielders have to take charge,” Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. “If you’re going to be a whimp out there and not take charge, those kinds of things are going to happen.”

After Florida made the score 4-all, the Cardinals took advantage of a throwing error by Bonifacio to score three unearned runs in the seventh.

“You can’t give them six runs, and that’s basically what we did,” McKeon said. “That’s too good a club to give them extra outs each inning.”

It was the final game in the Marlins’ current home for the Cardinals, and their record in the stadium is 45-27, best in the NL.

This season the Marlins are having trouble beating anybody in Miami, where they’re 24-36. On the road they’re 31-23.

“I wish I could put my finger on it,” McKeon said. “It looks like we play so much more relaxed on the road. I suggest we play a few days with our road uniforms and see how that works out.”

Florida was swept in a four-game series at home for the second time in two months. It also happened against Milwaukee on June 3-6.

“When you play bad baseball against a good team, that’s what happens,” said Florida’s Javier Vazquez, who gave up four runs in six innings.

The Marlins’ new ballpark opening next season will have a retractable roof, and neither the home team nor the visitors will miss dealing with South Florida’s wet summer weather. The start of the game was delayed 81 minutes by rain, and drizzle fell throughout the final few innings.

About a thousand hardy fans remained until the end, and the majority seemed to be Cardinals rooters.

“You wish you didn’t have delays. You wish there were more fans in the stands,” St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. “Both those things get taken care of next year.”

The Cardinals’ Albert Pujols hit his third home run of the series and his 27th this season, and his intentional walk backfired on the Marlins in the sixth, when Matt Holliday followed with a game-tying single.

The Marlins then intentionally walked Lance Berkman, and Jon Jay foiled that strategy with a two-run single.

Holliday said it was especially satisfying to produce after the walks.

“Mainly because you score a run and help the team,” he said. “Albert is one of the greatest players of all time. I get that they’re going to walk him a lot. But it does feel good when you come through.”

Pujols, Holliday and Berkman combined to hit .438 (21 for 48) in the series with five home runs and 13 RBIs.

In a single series, the Cardinals matched their longest winning streak of the season.

“It’s kind of unreal, really,” La Russa said. “We’re going to enjoy the moment.”

“I’m glad they’re getting out of town,” McKeon said.

Florida’s Bryan Petersen hit his first major league homer, a two-run shot that tied the game when he pinch-hit with two out in the sixth.

Notes: Morrison needed five stitches to repair a gash below his right knee he got chasing a foul fly. He stayed in the game and said he expects to play Monday. … Florida SS Hanley Ramirez (left shoulder) remains sidelined indefinitely. … Marlins 2B Omar Infante (broken finger) is expected to be healthy to play when he’s eligible to come off the disabled list Aug. 20, McKeon said. … Cardinals RHP Edwin Jackson will make his second start against the Brewers in seven days Tuesday. He gave up eight earned runs in seven innings in a 10-5 loss to them last Wednesday. … Rookie LHP Brad Hand starts Monday against Atlanta for the Marlins, who have won his past four starts. He’s 1-2 with an ERA of 2.00 in three starts at home.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MIAMI (AP) — Pitching to the St. Louis Cardinals’ big three didn’t work. Walking them backfired, too.

With another productive day by Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman, the Cardinals completed their first four-game series sweep on the road since 2004.

St. Louis foiled intentional walks to Pujols and Berkman during a three-run sixth inning Sunday, and Holliday drove in three runs with a pair of two-out singles to help beat the Florida Marlins 8-4.

In a single series, the Cardinals matched their longest winning streak of the season.

“It’s kind of unreal, really,” manager Tony La Russa said. “We’re going to enjoy the moment.”

“I’m glad they’re getting out of town,” Marlins manager Jack McKeon said.

Pujols hit his third home run of the series and his 27th this season, and his intentional walk backfired on the Marlins in the sixth inning, when Holliday followed with a tying single. The Marlins then intentionally walked Lance Berkman, and Jon Jay foiled that strategy with a two-run single.

Holliday said it was especially satisfying to produce after the walks.

“Mainly because you score a run and help the team,” he said. “Albert is one of the greatest players of all time. I get that they’re going to walk him a lot. But it does feel good when you come through.”

Sloppy defense plagued the Marlins all day, and after they tied the game at 4-all, the Cardinals took advantage of a throwing error by shortstop Emilio Bonifacio to score three unearned runs in the seventh. Ryan Theriot’s RBI single put St. Louis up 5-4, and Holliday added a two-run single.

Pujols, Holliday and Berkman combined to hit .438 (21 for 48) in the series with five home runs and 13 RBIs. It was the final game in the Marlins’ current home for the Cardinals, and their record in the stadium is 45-27, best in the NL.

This season the Marlins are having trouble beating anybody in Miami, where they’re 24-36. On the road they’re 31-23.

“I wish I could put my finger on it,” McKeon said. “It looks like we play so much more relaxed on the road. I suggest we play a few days with our road uniforms and see how that works out.”

Florida was swept in a four-game series at home for the second time in two months. It also happened against Milwaukee on June 3-6.

“When you play bad baseball against a good team, that’s what happens,” said Florida’s Javier Vazquez, who gave up four runs in six innings.

The Marlins’ new ballpark opening next season will have a retractable roof, and neither the home team nor the visitors will miss dealing with South Florida’s wet summer weather. The start of the game was delayed 81 minutes by rain, and drizzle fell throughout the final few innings.

About a thousand hardy fans remained until the end, and the majority seemed to be Cardinals rooters.

“You wish you didn’t have delays. You wish there were more fans in the stands,” La Russa said. “Both those things get taken care of next year.”

Florida’s Bryan Petersen hit his first major league homer, a two-run shot that tied the game when he pinch-hit with two out in the sixth.

The pitchers of record were a bit misleading. Mitchell Boggs (2-3) received credit for the victory despite giving up Petersen’s homer in the only inning he worked. Mike Dunn (5-6) took the loss even though he didn’t allow an earned run — the two runs charged against him were unearned because of Bonifacio’s error.

The Cardinals’ Jaime Garcia had his second consecutive five-inning outing. He departed for a pinch hitter trailing 2-1.

“If I’m not going deep in the games, I’m not getting the job done,” Garcia said.

NOTES: Marlins LF Logan Morrison needed five stitches to repair a gash below his right knee suffered chasing a foul fly. He stayed in the game and said he expects to play Monday. … Florida SS Hanley Ramirez (left shoulder) remains sidelined indefinitely. … Marlins 2B Omar Infante (broken finger) is expected to be healthy to play when he’s eligible to come off the disabled list Aug. 20, McKeon said. … Cardinals RHP Edwin Jackson will make his second start against the Brewers in seven days Tuesday. He gave up eight earned runs in seven innings in a 10-5 loss to them last Wednesday. … Rookie LHP Brad Hand starts Monday against Atlanta for the Marlins, who have won his past four starts. He’s 1-2 with an ERA of 2.00 in three starts at home.

MIAMI (CBS4) – Matt Holliday drove in three runs with a pair of two-out singles, Albert Pujols homered and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied Sunday to complete their first four-game series sweep on the road since 2004 by beating the Florida Marlins 8-4.

In a single series, the Cardinals matched their longest winning streak of the season.

Pujols hit his third home run of the series and his 27th this season, and his intentional walk backfired on the Marlins in the sixth inning, when Holliday followed with a tying single. The Marlins then intentionally walked Lance Berkman, and Jon Jay foiled that strategy with a two-run single.

After Florida tied the game, the Cardinals went ahead to stay with three unearned runs in the seventh after a throwing error by shortstop Emilio Bonifacio. Ryan Theriot’s RBI single put St. Louis up 5-4, and Holliday added a two-run single.

It was the final game in the Marlins’ current home for the Cardinals, and their record in the stadium is 45-27, best in the NL.

This season the Marlins are having trouble beating anybody in Miami, where they’re 24-36. On the road they’re 31-23.

Florida was swept in a four-game series at home for the second time in two months. It also happened against Milwaukee on June 3-6.

The Marlins’ new ballpark opening next season will have a retractable roof, and neither the home team nor the visitors will miss dealing with South Florida’s wet summer weather. The start of the game was delayed 81 minutes by rain, and drizzle fell throughout the final few innings.

Florida’s Bryan Petersen hit his first major league homer, a two-run shot that tied the game when he pinch-hit with two out in the sixth.

The pitchers of record were a bit misleading. Mitchell Boggs (2-3) received credit for the victory despite giving up Petersen’s homer in the only inning he worked. Mike Dunn (5-6) took the loss even though he didn’t allow an earned run — the two runs charged against him were unearned because of Bonifacio’s error.

The Cardinals’ Jaime Garcia departed for after five innings trailing 2-1.

Florida’s Javier Vazquez allowed four runs in six innings. He scored a run and had two hits, including a double for his first extra-base hit since 2009.

St. Louis scored three times in the sixth to take a 4-2 lead. Corey Patterson, pinch-hitting for Garcia, led off with a popup to shallow left, and the ball fell for a double after Bonifacio and left fielder Logan Morrison nearly collided trying to make the catch.

With two out, Marlins manager Jack McKeon ordered Pujols intentionally walked, and Holliday followed with a game-tying single. When right fielder Mike Stanton misplayed the hit for an error, runners advanced to second and third.

McKeon then ordered Berkman intentionally walked, and Jay followed with a single.

The Cardinals also came from behind early. Pujols’ opposite-field homer made the score 1-all in the fourth. He went 8 for 18 in the series.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

MIAMI — Matt Holliday drove in three runs with a pair of two-out singles, Albert Pujols homered and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied Sunday to complete their first four-game series sweep on the road since 2004 by beating the Florida Marlins 8-4.

In a single series, the Cardinals matched their longest winning streak of the season.

Pujols hit his third home run of the series and his 27th this season, and his intentional walk backfired on the Marlins in the sixth inning, when Holliday followed with a tying single. The Marlins then intentionally walked Lance Berkman, and Jon Jay foiled that strategy with a two-run single.

After Florida tied the game, the Cardinals went ahead to stay with three unearned runs in the seventh after a throwing error by shortstop Emilio Bonifacio. Ryan Theriot’s RBI single put St. Louis up 5-4, and Holliday added a two-run single.

It was the final game in the Marlins’ current home for the Cardinals, and their record in the stadium is 45-27, best in the NL.

This season the Marlins are having trouble beating anybody in Miami, where they’re 24-36. On the road they’re 31-23. Full Story

Athletics 5, Rays 4 (10)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Josh Willingham led off the 10th inning with a home run, helping the Oakland Athletics beat the Tampa Bay Rays.

Willingham lined a pitch from Jake McGee (0-1) into the left field stands for his 17th homer this season. Fautino De Los Santos (1-0) threw a scoreless ninth to pick up his first major league win and Andrew Bailey allowed two singles in the 10th before getting his 13th save.

Hideki Matsui also homered for Oakland, which stopped a stretch of 12 consecutive non-winning road series by taking two of three from the Rays.

Tampa Bay got homers from Casey Kotchman and Evan Longoria.

Royals 4, Tigers 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Johnny Giavotella hit his first major league home run and also doubled as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Detroit Tigers.

Giavotella, promoted Friday after hitting .338 in 110 games with Triple-A Omaha, is 5 for 11 in his first three games.

Giavotella led off a three-run fourth with a double and hit a solo home run in the fifth.

Bruce Chen (6-5) left in the sixth after a 46-minute rain delay. He gave up three runs and five hits, striking out five without a walk.

Reds 8, Cubs 7

CHICAGO — Ryan Hanigan hit a tiebreaking single off Sean Marshall in Cincinnati’s two-run eighth inning and the Reds beat the Chicago Cubs.

Center fielder Marlon Byrd slipped while chasing Joey Votto’s shallow pop fly to start the eighth against Marshall (5-5). Votto scored on Todd Frazier’s double to tie the game.

Frazier, Drew Stubbs and Edgar Renteria all hit home runs for Cincinnati. Nick Masset (2-5) got the final out in the seventh.

Starlin Castro and Blake DeWitt homered for Chicago, which had its seven-game winning streak snapped.

Angels 2, Mariners 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ervin Santana pitched into the ninth inning of his fourth straight phenomenal start, and Mark Trumbo homered off Felix Hernandez in the Los Angeles Angels’ victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Santana (8-8) held the Mariners to seven hits and won his duel with Hernandez (10-10), whose 12 strikeouts were one shy of his career high. Santana lost his shutout bid on Mike Carp’s one-out homer in the ninth, and manager Mike Scioscia pulled him two outs short of his third consecutive complete game.

Santana, who threw a no-hitter against Cleveland two starts ago, is 5-0 in eight starts since June 21, yielding just 17 hits and two runs in 33 2/3 innings over his last four starts.

He has struggled for run support throughout the season, but the Angels provided just enough to beat Hernandez, the defending AL Cy Young winner.

Nationals 3, Rockies 2

DENVER — Jonny Gomes hit his first home run for Washington, Jayson Werth delivered a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and the Nationals beat the Colorado Rockies.

The Rockies split the four-game series and went 2-5 on their homestand. Eliezer Alfonzo got three hits for Colorado and Troy Tulowitzki had two.

Washington scored the deciding run off reliever Matt Belisle (5-4). Danny Espinosa opened the eighth with a double and moved to third on Ryan Zimmerman’s groundout.

After an intentional walk to Michael Morse, Werth singled sharply to left field.

(Sports Network) – The St. Louis Cardinals have their sights set on a four-
game sweep of the Florida Marlins this afternoon from Sun Life Stadium.

The Cardinals made it three straight wins over the Marlins with Saturday’s 2-1
victory, as slugger Albert Pujols set the tone early with a two-run homer in
the first inning. Daniel Descalso recorded three hits for St. Louis, which has
won six of its last nine games and is 4-2 on a seven-game road trip.

Chris Carpenter earned the win with 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball and struck
out seven batters to push his 2011 record to 7-8. Fernando Salas tossed a
scoreless ninth for his 21st save.

“I was able to make pitches when I had to,” Carpenter said. “That’s what
you’re supposed to do as a starter.”

After today’s game the Cardinals will return to the Gateway City for a six-
game homestand versus Milwaukee and Colorado. They are still three games
behind Milwaukee for the NL Central lead.

Jaime Garcia’s been shaky over his last few outings, going 1-2 with a 3.20 ERA
in four starts since a personal three-game winning streak. Garcia gets the nod
today for the Cardinals and last pitched in Tuesday’s 8-7 win at Milwaukee in
which he allowed seven runs — three earned — and 10 hits in five innings for
the no-decision.

Garcia is 4-3 in 13 road starts with a 4.79 ERA and 10-5 overall in 23 trips
to the hill. The left-hander faced Florida for the first time in his career
last May 19 in a 5-1 loss at Busch Stadium and did not factor in the outcome
with five scoreless innings, six strikeouts and four walks.

Florida is aiming to salvage the finale of this set and is 0-3 so far on a 10-
game homestand. It has dropped five of its last eight games and wasted a solid
performance from starter Ricky Nolasco, who allowed 10 hits but gave up only
two runs on a Pujols homer over seven innings of work.

“It was a hanging curveball. A fast runner at first — just with the slide
step — got behind it a little bit, and it stayed up, and he doesn’t miss
those kind of pitches,” Nolasco said of Pujols’ home run. “Obviously a
difference in the game.”

The Marlins pushed their only run of the game across in the fourth inning,
when Gaby Sanchez scored after DeWayne Wise was hit by a pitch with the bases
loaded. Florida was outhit by a 14-6 margin and will also host the Braves and
Giants on this homestand. Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez could be back in
the lineup Sunday and has been bothered by a left shoulder sprain. He hasn’t
played since Tuesday against the New York Mets.

Florida will hand the ball to Javier Vazquez Sunday and the veteran is just
7-9 with a 4.88 ERA in 22 starts this season. He has won four of his last six
decisions, but did not figure into the outcome of Monday’s 7-3 win at the
Mets. Vazquez tossed seven innings of one-run ball for the second straight
time and allowed six hits.

Vazquez, a right-hander, is only 3-6 in nine home starts this season and is
aiming for a measure of revenge against the Cardinals, who roughed him up for
six runs — four earned — over 5 2/3 innings of an 8-7 Florida win back on
May 4 this season. Vazquez may have avoided the loss that day, but he is only
3-7 with a 4.11 ERA in 12 career starts against St. Louis.

The Marlins and Cardinals split a four-game series in St. Louis in early May.

The Sports Network

(Sports Network) – Milwaukee Brewers starter Zack Greinke will put his
unbeaten streak on the line tonight versus the St. Louis Cardinals in the
second installment of a three-game series from Miller Park.

Since losing his Brewers debut on May 4 at Atlanta, allowing five runs — four
earned — in four innings of an 8-0 loss, Greinke is 5-0 with a less desirable
4.38 earned run average in six starts — all Milwaukee wins. He was last in
action in Monday’s 7-2 victory at Florida and limited the Marlins to two runs
in seven innings to push his record to 5-1 in seven starts.

The right-hander and 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner with Kansas City is
unbeaten in four starts at home (3-0) and will make his seventh career
appearance against St. Louis. In six games, four of which have been starts,
against the Cardinals, the right-hander’s 3-2 with a 4.15 ERA.

Countering for the Cardinals is a Cy Young winner in Chris Carpenter. The 2005
recipient of the NL honor is 0-3 with a 4.15 ERA in five starts since his only
victory on May 10 at Chicago.

Carpenter has recorded back-to-back no-decisions and previously toed the
rubber in Sunday’s 3-2, 10-inning win over the Cubs at Busch Stadium. The
righty lasted nine innings and allowed two runs on seven hits and a pair of
walks with six strikeouts. Carpenter, who is only 1-4 in seven road starts in
2011, is 1-5 with a 4.25 ERA in 13 outings this season and will make his 12th
career start against Milwaukee. He is 4-4 with a 4.87 ERA through the first 11
appearances in this matchup.

Milwaukee hammered the Cardinals, 8-0, in last night’s series opener behind
eight shutout innings from Chris Narveson, who struck out six batters and
walked only one to improve to 3-4 on the season. Tim Dillard closed the door
in the ninth to preserve the blanking.

“I was able to command the strike zone and get outs,” Narveson said. “You
always need an outing like this.”

Ryan Braun and Corey Hart both homered, while Nyjer Morgan drove in a pair of
runs and Craig Counsell went 3-for-3 with three runs scored for Milwaukee,
which has won six of eight games and is 2-2 on a six game homestand. The
Brewers are 23-9 at home this season and has not lost back-to-back games in
Brew City in 2011. Milwaukee dropped a 4-1 decision to the Mets on Thursday
before exploding for eight runs last night.

The Brewers also pulled within 1 1/2 games of St. Louis for the top spot in
the NL Central standings.

St. Louis entered last night’s game having won five of six games, but starting
pitcher Kyle Lohse had a rare rough outing and allowed four runs through five
innings to fall to 7-3 on the season. Ryan Franklin and Brian Tallet both gave
up two runs in relief for the Cardinals, who are 2-2 on a nine-game road trip.

Ryan Theriot continued his hot play with a team-best two hits, while Cardinals
skipper Tony La Russa managed the 5,000th game of his career in defeat,
joining Connie Mack as the only managers/coaches in American professional
sports to reach that milestone.

“It’s a very simple life,” La Russa said. “You’re excited when you win and
disappointed when you lose.”

The Central-leading Cardinals will also visit Washington for three games on
the current road swing and are 20-15 away from Busch Stadium. Theriot,
meanwhile, had his career-best 20-game hitting streak stopped on Wednesday and
owns hits in 22 of his previous 23 games. He is batting over .300 in his
career at Miller Park.

Albert Pujols is riding an eight-game hitting streak in which he’s batting
.387 with five homers and nine RBI. Pujols is hitting .333 against Greinke in
his career, going 3-for-9 with a double and three walks.

St. Louis took two of three meetings from Milwaukee in early May, but the
Brewers have won nine of the previous 14 matchups in this series.

The Sports Network