Jake Bauers launched a three-run home run and Brice Turang added his 13th homer of the season as the Milwaukee Brewers used a six-run third inning to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-4 on Thursday night in St. Louis. The win gave the NL Central-leading Brewers four of five games in the series, extending their commanding position atop the division.
Milwaukee won four games in a series at St. Louis for the second time in franchise history and the first time since 2008. The Brewers stood at 59-34 with one series to go before the All-Star break, a record that demonstrates consistent execution and organizational strength throughout the first half of the season.
Offensive Explosion in the Third
Turang opened the decisive third inning with an RBI single before Bauers hit his 17th homer of the season into the seats in right, giving Milwaukee a 6-0 lead it never surrendered. Bauers is tied for the MLB lead with seven three-run homers, a statistic that reflects both his power and his ability to deliver in high-leverage situations. Turang added a solo shot to center in the seventh to make it 7-4.
The offensive onslaught started earlier. Sal Frelick and Cooper Pratt each had RBI singles in the second inning to give the Brewers an early 2-0 lead. William Contreras capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly that scored Jackson Chourio in the ninth.
Henderson's Return Pays Dividends
Logan Henderson, who improved to 3-1, threw 5 1/3 innings in his first start since May 22 after landing on the 15-day injured list with a lower back strain. He struck out four and allowed three runs on three hits, providing the stability Milwaukee needed from its rotation. Andre Pallante, now 10-6, allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings for the Cardinals, unable to contain the Brewers' lineup.
Lars Nootbaar had an RBI single for St. Louis in the fourth, and Jordan Walker added a three-run homer in the sixth. Walker became the sixth Cardinals player to have 73 or more RBIs before the All-Star break since 1955, a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing series for the home team.
Looking Ahead
The Brewers' next game was set for Friday, when Brewers RHP Brandon Sproat, 3-4 with a 5.13 ERA, was to face Pirates RHP Braxton Ashcraft, 9-3 with a 3.24 ERA. Cardinals RHP Kyle Leahy, 7-4 with a 3.86 ERA, was scheduled to square off against Atlanta LHP Chris Sale, 9-6 with a 2.27 ERA, in a series opener Friday.
Why This Matters:
The Brewers' dominance in this series demonstrates the value of sustained organizational investment in player development and roster construction. With a 59-34 record heading into the All-Star break, Milwaukee has built a substantial cushion in the NL Central through consistent performance rather than reliance on massive payroll expenditures. Henderson's successful return from injury adds depth to a rotation that will need every arm down the stretch. The Brewers' ability to win four games at St. Louis for the first time since 2008 signals a franchise that's maximized its resources and created a competitive advantage through smart decision-making. For the Cardinals, Walker's historic RBI pace offers hope, but the team's inability to contain Milwaukee's offense raises questions about pitching depth as the second half approaches.