- Cardinals record first back-to-back wins in 3 weeks
- Brewers' Chourio delivers career-best 4-hit performance
- St. Louis bullpen blows late lead for second time
- Defensive gem by Scott preserves early advantage
In a dramatic reversal of fortunes at Busch Stadium, Nolan Arenado launched a 97.8 mph fastball into the left-field seats Saturday night, capping a wild 6-5 Cardinals victory over division rivals Milwaukee. The game marked St. Louis' first consecutive wins since mid-April, temporarily easing concerns about their inconsistent NL Central campaign.
The Cardinals appeared destined for an easy victory after building a 5-0 advantage through four innings. Lars Nootbaar's two-RBI performance and Milwaukee's defensive miscues fueled the early surge, while starter Sonny Gray maintained control through six innings. However, the Brewers' rookie sensation Jackson Chourio ignited a late rally with his sixth homer of the season, part of a four-hit night that included three RBIs.
Industry analysts note this contest underscores two critical MLB trends: bullpen volatility (23% increase in blown saves league-wide since 2022) and rookie impacts (Chourio joins elite company with 4-hit games before age 21). The Midwest rivalry also revealed contrasting organizational strategies - St. Louis' veteran acquisitions versus Milwaukee's youth movement.
A regional case study emerges in the Cardinals' home performance. Despite a 12-15 record, their +8 run differential at Busch Stadium suggests better days ahead. Saturday's attendance of 42,387 marked their fifth consecutive sellout, demonstrating strong fan support despite early-season struggles.
Defensive highlights included center fielder Victor Scott II's spectacular diving catch in the fifth, potentially saving two runs. The play proved crucial as Milwaukee's late charge fell short. Both teams now look to Sunday's matchup, with Milwaukee's José Quintana aiming to extend his 0.96 ERA dominance against St. Louis' resurgent Erick Fedde.