The Brewers wasted a double in the first, they wasted a single in the second, and they wasted a pair of runners in the third. Here's the thing about missed opportunities, in particular when you're trailing: you're not only missing an opportunity to chip away. You're giving the opposition a chance to make its lead even larger.
Cardinals vs. Brewers: Redbirds Score Some Insurance
The Cardinals made their lead even larger, in the bottom of the fourth. Jaime Garcia was perfect in the top half, preserving the 3-0 lead. David Freese led off the bottom with just another hit to right field, and then Yadier Molina lifted a blooper into shallow center that Rickie Weeks couldn't run down. There were runners on first and second, and nobody out.
That brought up eighth place hitter Nick Punto, and Punto...dropped down a sacrifice bunt, in front of the pitcher. Garcia, in case you're wondering, is a career .137 hitter. He is a bad hitter.
But he did what he was supposed to do. On the third pitch that he got from Zack Greinke, Garcia bounced a slow grounder, getting thrown out but allowing Freese to score from third. 4-0 Cardinals.
It could've been worse for the Brewers. After Garcia, Rafael Furcal shot a liner into shallow center, but Carlos Gomez charged and made a diving catch. If he misses, it's 5-0, at least.
But it’s still 4-0, and the Brewers have five remaining innings to beat the odds.
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