MLB Playoffs: Pujols, Cardinals Crush Brewers to Even Series
By Editorial Staff
The St. Louis Cardinals continue to show their resiliency, as the club quickly recovered from a game one defeat to demolish the Milwaukee Brewers 12-3 Monday. Albert Pujols and the rest of St. Louis’ offense was running on all cylinders last night, posting 17 hits and crooked numbers in four different innings.
The Cardinals got on the board early and never looked back. Pujols began the onslaught with his first home run of the NLCS, a two run shot in the top of the first. The former MVP drove in two more during his next plate appearance, bringing home Edwin Jackson and John Jay with his first of three doubles.
Milwaukee would pull within three in the 4th on Rickie Weeks two run home run, but the Cardinals struck for more in the next frame, putting the game well out of reach. St. Louis went on to score six unanswered runs, pushing their advantage to 11-2.
Edwin Jackson was hit fairly hard by the Brewers over his 4.1 innings of work, but managed to limit the damage to only two runs. Following Jackson, the Cardinals pen worked 4.2 frames of one hit relief, allowing only one earned run.
Pujols finished the night 4-5. All of his hits were of the extra base variety; three doubles and a home run. Pujols had five RBI’s and accounted for seven of the Cardinals twelve runs. John Jay went 3-5 with three runs scored and David Freese continued his power rampage, slugging his third home run in four games.
Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun continued their strong postseason play, combining to go 4-7 with three extra base hits.
Brewers starter Shaun Marcum was roughed up for five runs on seven hits over four innings, and Milwaukee’s bullpen wasn’t able to stop the bleeding. Over the game’s final five innings, Brewers relievers allowed seven runs. Kameron Loe was especially awful, surrendering four earned runs on six hits while only recording a single out.
With the victory, the Cardinals have evened the best of seven series at 1-1. The teams have Tuesday off as they head to St. Louis for Wednesday’s game three. The third contest of the NLCS should feature better pitching than game two, as Yovani Gallardo will face off against Chris Carpenter.
For more on the Cardinals and Brewers, be sure to check out Redbird Rants and Reviewing the Brew.