Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) – Casey McGehee’s two-run single in the fifth inning proved to be the difference, as the Milwaukee Brewers held off the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-2, on a night that saw all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman record the 600th save of his career.
McGehee had three hits and drove in a total of three runs for the Brewers, who had lost six of seven coming in. Prince Fielder knocked in the other run.
Chris Narveson (11-7) was solid in seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits to pick up the win. The left-hander also struck out nine and walked three.
“Accomplishments like this are shared among a lot of people and I think it just validates the work you put in and the ballplayer that good things can happen,” Hoffman said.
Yadier Molina and Colby Rasmus each drove in a run for the Cardinals, who won 8-6 in the opener of this three-game series on Monday. Kyle Lohse (2-7) went five innings in the start, giving up four runs on seven hits.
St. Louis sits six games behind the Reds in the NL Central standings.
“Tough way to lose. It’s frustrating to give up the two-out hits again,” Lohse said.
The Brewers put a pair of runs on the board in the first. With two outs, Ryan Braun reached base on an infield single. Fielder drove in Braun with a double to right. McGehee then scored Fielder with a two-bagger of his own.
St. Louis tied the game in the fourth. Albert Pujols singled and Matt Holliday doubled with one out. Molina and Rasmus followed with consecutive RBI singles to make it 2-2. The Cardinals went on to load the bases, but Lohse grounded out to end the inning.
Milwaukee took back the lead in the fifth. Narveson was hit by a pitch and Rickie Weeks walked. Following two outs, Fielder walked to load the bases. McGehee stepped to the plate and delivered a two-run single to left for a 4-2 advantage.
Carlos Villanueva and John Axford combined to pitch a scoreless eighth. Hoffman worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to record his ninth save of the year.
Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is second on the all-time saves list with 555… The Cardinals and Brewers have split 14 games this season…St. Louis recalled infielder Tyler Greene from Triple-A Memphis…The Brewers recalled infielder Luis Cruz from Triple-A Nashville and selected the contract of pitcher Brandon Kintzler from Nashville…Lohse fell to 3-6 lifetime versus the Brewers…Milwaukee manager Ken Macha was thrown out by second base umpire Tim Timmons at the end of the second inning for arguing a 6-4-3 interference double play. Brewers center fielder Chris Dickerson was ejected by home plate umpire Bob Davidson for arguing balls and strike at the end of the fifth. Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan was ejected by Davidson in the top of the third for arguing balls and strikes.