Nelson strong through 6 innings but Brewers fall 3-0 to Cardinals
ST. LOUIS -- Milwaukee's lineup has struggled lately. It's a familiar story for the Brewers when they play the St. Louis Cardinals.
Jimmy Nelson worked six effective innings, but the Brewers hit into four double plays in a 3-0 loss on Saturday. They have been shut out five times this season, three times against the Cardinals.
"We're in a little bit of a funk," manager Craig Counsell said. "Any time we got something, a little bit, going we hit into a double play."
The Brewers are 13-25 on the road and have lost 27 of their last 40 against the Cardinals, including a 2-6 record this year. They will try to avoid a sweep on Sunday.
"I don't know if I can speak for everybody but I know I'm frustrated with every loss," Nelson said. "I don't care if it's against a Pee Wee team or against the best team in the world."
The Cardinals had lost seven in a row at home before winning the series opener 7-1 on Friday night. The Brewers have 11 hits the first two games, getting the lone run on Chris Carter's 20th homer, and went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position Saturday.
"We can certainly create more opportunities and better chances," Counsell said.
Nelson allowed two earned runs and seven hits. He is 0-6 in seven games, all but one of them starts, against the Cardinals.
Nelson, Marco Estrada and Jordan Zimmermann are the only active pitchers with five career decisions and no victories against St. Louis.
"This is the first time I've thrown against them this year," Nelson said. "I'm different than I was last year."
Adam Wainwright pitched seven innings and Kolten Wong had a two-run triple for the Cardinals, who turned double plays in the fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth.
Jonathan Broxton got three outs and Seung Hwan Oh, a longtime closer in Japan and Korea, finished the seven-hitter for his first career save. Manager Mike Matheny removed Trevor Rosenthal from the closer role about a week ago.
"Whether it's a young guy coming in or a more experienced pitcher, it's nice to have a little more of a cushion," Matheny said.
Wong made his first start at second base since June 4, replacing Matt Carpenter after the two-time All-Star took the day off to attend to a death in the family. Wong had been playing the outfield since being recalled from the minors.
Wong's drive eluded right fielder Ramon Flores' bid for a diving catch in the third. Greg Garcia followed with a bunt hit on the squeeze on Nelson (5-7).
The Brewers had a hit every inning against Wainwright (7-5), but had two runners just once in the fifth. Wainwright lowered his ERA to 4.70, shaking off a rough outing in which he surrendered six runs in five innings at Kansas City.
The start was delayed 92 minutes by rain.
BIG D
Cardinals center fielder Tommy Pham made a nice catch on Carter's drive to the warning track in the sixth.
MILESTONES MADE
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina got a standing ovation for his 1,500th hit, a single in the fourth. Wainwright has 128 career victories, tied for seventh on the franchise list with Harry Brecheen (1940-52).
UP NEXT
Brewers: Chase Anderson (4-8, 5.45 ERA) gets the ball in the series finale on Sunday. He gave up five earned runs in four innings his last time out.
