Jake Westbrook allowed one run over six innings for his 100th career victory and the St. Louis Cardinals held on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5 in their series opener at Miller Park on Thursday night.
The Cardinals scored all 6-runs in the 3rd inning, then held the Brewers off late to win.
Westbrook left with a 6-1 lead for the bullpen to protect, but the Cardinal bullpen would make it interesting. The Brewers scored twice in the 7th and once each in the 8th and 9th innings to cut the lead to one. That was all the closer the Brewers would get.
Wily Peralta suffered the loss, falling to 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA.
The Brewers had their chances, but finished 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position. They stranded 13 base runners in all.
AUDIO: Ron Roenicke said they have to score runs when they have a chance :23
Game 2 of the series is tonight. Here’s the pitching matchup:
Milwaukee Kyle Lohse (1-2, 2.53 ERA) vs. St. Louis Shelby Miller (3-2, 2.05 ERA).