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Cardinals, Brewers hope to mask bullpen woes Monday

May 12, 2008 - 1:14 PM St Louis (23-16) at Milwaukee (18-19) 8:05 pm EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - The St. Louis Cardinals will attempt to salvage a split of a four-game series when they visit the Milwaukee Brewers.

With both clubs going through some struggles at the back of the bullpen, the Cardinals will be hoping to get a strong effort from starter Adam Wainwright while the Brewers hope for the same from Dave Bush.

St. Louis removed Jason Isringhausen from the closer's role after he blew his fifth save of the season Friday.

"We should have five more wins in the win column, in my mind," Isringhausen said after Friday's 4-3 setback. "We should be out in first place even more. They can't keep sending me out there when I'm pitching the way I'm pitching. I'm going to have to figure out some kind of remedy. I'm sure that remedy will give me some time off from the role - and get someone in there who can do a better job right now."

It was Eric Gagne's turn on Saturday, as the Canadian righthander allowed a pair of runs to suffer a loss. He is tied with Isringhausen for the league lead in blown saves.

"I'll keep going out there and keep fighting, but it's embarrassing," Gagne said after the 5-3 loss. "It's not discouraging, it's just embarrassing.

"I know what I'm supposed to do, I know what I'm capable of doing and I'm not doing it. I've got to get people out and I'm not doing it. I don't deserve the ninth inning right now."

Salomon Torres and Brian Shouse combined to toss the ninth Sunday in Milwaukee's 5-3 victory. Ryan Braun homered twice in the win.

Wainwright (3-1, 2.25 ERA) has allowed just one run over his last two starts but has not factored in the decision either time. The righthander has already faced the Brewers twice this season, combining to go 1-0 while allowing four runs - three earned - in 14 2/3 innings.

Bush (0-4, 6.98) has struggled this season and was demoted to the minors in late April before being recalled when Yovani Gallardo went on the disabled list. Bush was crushed in his last outing, allowing six runs in six innings to suffer a loss at Florida on Wednesday.