Final
  for this game

Cardinals down Brewers

May 19, 2013 - 11:58 PM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - The St. Louis Cardinals used a four-run fourth to beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 4-2, in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Yadier Molina, Jon Jay, David Freese and Pete Kozma all knocked in a run for the Cardinals, who finished 7-3 on their 10-game homestand.

John Gast (2-0), making his second big league start, allowed two runs on four hits while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings for St. Louis.

Yuniesky Betancourt and Jeff Bianchi each had an RBI for the Brewers, who went 2-8 on a 10-game road trip.

Kyle Lohse (1-5) got the start for Milwaukee and gave up four runs on eight hits over six innings against his former team. The right-hander enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last year with the Cardinals, as he posted a 16-3 mark to go along with a 2.86 ERA.

"Anytime Kyle's on the mound you know he's going to compete," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "He's one of the best pitchmakers in the game and once he starts hitting his spots, he's tough."

The Brewers had a chance to score after putting their first two men on base in the first. Norichika Aoki walked and Jean Segura singled to start the frame. Aoki advanced to third on Ryan Braun's fly ball to center, but was picked off while trying to steal home.

St. Louis scored all four of its runs in the fourth. Carlos Beltran and Allen Craig singled to put men on first and second with one out. The next four batters knocked in a run. Molina singled to center, Jay doubled to right, Freese singled to right and Kozma reached base on a bunt single.

Milwaukee got two runs back in the sixth. Aoki and Segura hit back-to-back singles to start the frame. Runners were on first and third after Braun grounded into a fielder's choice. Seth Maness came in from the bullpen and got Carlos Gomez to go down swinging, but Betancourt and Bianchi followed with consecutive RBI singles.

The Brewers had a chance to get back in the game in the seventh. However, Segura popped out and Braun grounded into a double play with the bases loaded.

"We had lots of chances," said Braun. "It's a matter of capitalizing on those opportunities. Today we had opportunities and weren't able to come through."

Trevor Rosenthal and Edward Mujica each tossed a scoreless inning of relief to secure St. Louis' victory. Mujica picked up his 13th save of the season.

Game Notes

Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez sat out with a left knee injury ... Jay and Beltran each made diving catches in the ninth ... Lohse fell to 2-5 lifetime against the Cardinals ... With the win, St. Louis is now 8-2 against Milwaukee in 2013.