The Milwaukee Brewers are certainly getting a look of what a playoff appearance means. For the second time in a week, they’ve had to watch a visiting team clinch a post-season berth at American Family Field. Last week it was the Mets securing at least a Wild Card and Tuesday night, it was the rival St. Louis Cardinals who celebrated the National League Central Division title, dethroning the defending champion Crew 6-2.
Adrian Houser got the start in the opener of the season ending 9 game homestand but he gave up single runs in the first two innings, a Paul Goldschmidt sacrifice fly in the first and his own wild pitch brought home another in the second. Then, light hitting Andrew Knizner connected for just his third home run of the season, a two run blast in the fourth staking St. Louis to a 4-0 lead. Houser exited in pain, lasting just three and a third innings before suffering a groin pull that left him hobbling back to the clubhouse. The Cardinals extended the lead to 6-0 for their starter, Miles Mikolas, who mowed down the Brewers in order over the first three frames. He reached the sixth where Rowdy Tellez reached him for a solo shot to right, his 34th of the year to get Milwaukee on the board. Garrett Mitchell added an RBI in the 7th but there would be rally against the St. Louis bullpen.
Even though the Brewers have dropped back to back games, they haven’t dropped back in their chase for a playoff berth. The Chicago Cubs knocked the Phillies 2-1 at Wrigley Field Tuesday night, keeping the Brewers a game and a half behind Philadelphia for the final wild card spot.
The Brewers (82-72) will send Brandon Woodruff to the mound in the series finale against St. Louis Wednesday night. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:05 PM with a 6:40 PM first pitch on WTAQ.
