The Milwaukee Brewers set a franchise record they would just as soon forget, striking out 19 times on Monday night while falling to the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 in their series opener at Miller Park.
Thirteen of those strikeouts came from Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez, who pitched six innings but wasn’t involved in the decision.
The Brewers saw their losing streak reach five games. They’ve won just 12 of the last 45 games against St. Louis at Miller Park.
The Brewers scored four times in the seventh inning to take a 5-3 lead, but reliever Corey Knebel surrendered a game tying, 2-run home run in the 8th inning to Randal Grichuk.
The Brewers then allowed the Cardinals to score the go-ahead and eventual winning run when Jonathan Villar threw a ball away on a double-play attempt.
Martinez entered the game with a 3-1 record and a 1.16 earned run average in 17 games (6 starts) against the Brewers. In three outings this season, Martinez has allowed 13 hits and two runs with 32 strikeouts in 19 innings against the Brewers.
Game two of the series is tonight. Wily Peralta (5-9, 5.87 ERA) pitches for the Brewers. Adam Wainwright (9-8, 4.67 ERA) pitches for the Cardinals.
AUDIO: Craig Counsell on Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez :17