A sixth-inning comeback ended a run too early and the St. Louis Cardinals' new-look bullpen couldn't keep together in extra innings as the Cardinals lost their series opener with division-leading Milwaukee by a score of 5-3, putting them four games back of the Brewers in the National League Central. Edwin Jackson allowed three runs—two earned—in six innings, while Octavio Dotel, in to pitch multiple innings after the Cardinals lost Lance Lynn to an oblique injury, gave up three hits and two runs in a 10th inning that was over before it began.
Lance Berkman doubled and Corey Patterson, David Freese, and Gerald Laird all drove in runs, but Laird, who allowed a passed ball and made a crucial error on two of the Brewers' first three runs, was a harsh reminder that the Cardinals were without Yadier Molina, suspended five games after a startlingly overreactive argument with a home plate umpire.
LaTroy Hawkins picks up the win, while John Axford earned his 33rd save of the season in pitching a scoreless 10th. The Cardinals and Brewers will continue the set Wednesday, when Jake Westbrook and Randy Wolf tangle in a 7:15 game at Busch Stadium.