In the first two innings, Cardinals starter Jaime García walked a bunch of guys, hit a guy, and gave up a home run to a guy that traveled so far that in some countries it would have counted for an extra run.

He also threw 46 pitches to guys, leaving his long-term viability in question.

In the third, though, Garcia retired Ryan Braun -- the guy who'd hit that home run -- on a grounder to third when David Freese made a nifty bare-handed pickup (and perfect throw). He got Prince Fielder a grounder, too.

Granted, Rickie Weeks did drive a double into the left-field corner, but then Garcia was greeted by "The Pitcher's Best Friend": Yuniesky Betancourt, who sent another grounder to Freese, who had time to use his glove and not be such a fershlugginer show-off.

Garcia did throw 17 pitches so he's not exactly ticketed for the eighth inning or even the seventh. But he does seem to have become a "normal" pitcher who won't let Milwaukee's "guys" score 11 runs or whatever.

Oh, and it's still Brewers 2, Cardinals 1 after three full innings.