The Brewers fought so hard to score their first run. Granted, the Cardinals were ahead by four when the Brewers finally got on the board in the top of the fifth, but it was something, and it gave the Brewers some life. With that said, the last thing the Brewers needed was to immediately give that run back, and then some. That could be a potential back-breaker.
They came close in the bottom of the fifth. The 4-1 score very nearly became another, more lopsided score. But it did not.
With one out, Albert Pujols hit a grounder to a shifted Rickie Weeks. Weeks made a poor throw to first that Prince Fielder couldn't handle, though, and Pujols reached second base.
Two batters later, Matt Holliday shot a grounder back up the middle. Yuniesky Betancourt dove to keep the ball in the infield, stopping Pujols at third, but Holliday beat Betancourt's throw to first. So there were men on the corners.
Then David Freese walked. Loaded, for Yadier Molina, who drove a 1-1 fastball over the heart of the plate deep into center. It was not deep enough, though, as Carlos Gomez made the catch in front of the track.
That was the third out, and the Brewers survived, but only barely. During the year, Zack Greinke struck out 201 batters, or 10.5 batters per nine innings. Tonight, he has struck out zero batters through five innings.
4-1 Cardinals, top six.