Archiv » Connor Brown opened the scoring for Erie (13-3-1) wi

MILWAUKEE -- Inning after inning, the St. Louis bullpen got into tough jams in a one-run game. Marco Gonzales and five fellow relievers staved off every advance, getting a huge boost from a game-saving catch in centre field by Peter Bourjos. The bullpen combined for six innings of one-run ball and the Cardinals held off the slumping Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 Thursday night for their sixth straight win. "We had guys picking each other up all night," manager Mike Matheny said. The Cardinals moved to a season-high 14 games above .500 and extended their lead to four games in the NL Central over the Brewers, who lost their ninth straight St. Louis used the bullpen early after Michael Wacha was limited to three innings in his first start off the disabled list. Gonzales (2-2) went 2 1-3 innings for the win. "The bullpen came in there and shut the door for those last six innings," Wacha said. "That was fun to watch." The Brewers stranded potential tying runs in scoring position from the sixth through the ninth, the latest frustrating loss for a team that was in first place just 10 days earlier. Manager Ron Roenicke at least he liked the fight he saw in his club. "We hit a lot of balls hard. Either they made a really good play on it or we hit it right at em," Roenicke said. St. Louis never trailed after Yadier Molinas two-run single in the first off Wily Peralta (15-10). Still, the Brewers had numerous chances to snap out of their two-week funk. Seth Maness got the Cardinals out of the sixth by inducing Logan Schafer to fly out in foul territory with a runner on third. Carlos Martinez got third-place hitter Jonathan Lucroy to pop out to end the seventh with another runner on third. In the eighth, the Brewers put runners on first and second with nobody out against Pat Neshek. The side-arming right-hander bounced back by getting Martin Maldonado to pop up a bunt attempt before Schafer hit a hard-hit fly that was tracked down by Bourjos at the centre-field wall for the second out. "I thought that ball was gone. I did. I thought it was out. Just an incredible catch. Hes not just fast -- hes got good instincts and great jumps," Matheny said. Jean Segura sent a flare to left fielder Matt Holliday, ending the threat in the eighth. NEARLY THERE Schafer thought the ball would get over Bourjos head. He was surprised when Bourjos tracked it down, though Schafer knows Bourjos is an excellent fielder. The eighth inning exemplified the recent difficult stretch for the Brewers. "We were in it the whole time," Schafer said. "Again, were just waiting for that big hit." FINISHING IT OFF The Cardinals used six relievers in all, with closer Trevor Rosenthal issuing two walks to put runners on first and second with two outs in the ninth. Rosenthal got pinch-hitter Jason Rogers to fly out to the edge of the warning track in right for his 42nd save. TRAINERS ROOM Cardinals: Wacha threw 50 pitches and struck out three. He allowed three hits, including Lucroys RBI single in the first. The right-hander had been on the disabled list since June 18 with a right shoulder injury. Brewers: Carlos Gomez pinch ran but remained out of the starting lineup with a left wrist injury. Roenicke said his leadoff hitter was feeling good, and the team doctor would re-evaluate Gomez in the hope that he might be able to return soon. Gomez has been sidelined since Monday. UP NEXT Cardinals: John Lackey (2-1) gets the start Friday, when he hopes for a repeat performance of his first start with the Cardinals after being traded from Boston. He gave up two runs in seven innings in a 3-2 victory. Brewers: Mike Fiers (4-2) is 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two career starts against the Cardinals, both coming in 2012. BABY BRAUN Ryan Braun missed a second straight game following the birth of his daughter Wednesday night. The right fielder appears likely to return for Fridays game. "Id like (him) and Gomey in the lineup," Roenicke said. "But youve got to do what youve got to do. This is obviously the most important thing in his life." Austin Nola Mariners Jersey . -- The Chicago Bears agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract with defensive lineman Israel Idonije and are bringing him back for a second stint. Reggie McClain Mariners Jersey . - The infectious smile was missing from Nam Nguyen last week. https://www.cheapmariners.com/2045k-j-p-crawford-jersey-mariners.html . Billy Hamilton finished off Cincinnatis biggest comeback of the season for a doubleheader sweep. Justin Dunn Jersey . His big 2-minute outburst in the fourth quarter Tuesday night is all that really mattered for the Dallas Mavericks. Dave Henderson Mariners Jersey . The two-time Olympic halfpipe gold medallist informed ESPN on Monday he plans to compete in Apsen, Colo.GUELPH, Ont. - The Guelph Storm extended their winning streak to 10 games, doing all of its scoring in the third period in a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over the Sudbury Wolves on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League play. Matthew Campagna opened the scoring for Sudbury (6-5-6) in the first period. Zack Mitchell tied it for Guelph (15-3-0) 1:57 into the third period, and Matt Finn scored the winner at 6:35. Hunter Garlent added an insurance goal on the power-play at 11:54. Justin Nichols made 30 saves for the Storm, while Wolves goalie Franky Palazzese was busy at the other end of the ice, turning back 41 shots, including 19 in the third period. --- STEELHEADS 4 RANGERS 1 MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Adam Goldberg scored twice, and the Steelheads scored four unanswered goals after spotting Kitchener a 1-0 lead, as Mississauga beat the Rangers 4-1. Justin Bailey opened the scoring for Kitchener (4-10-0) in the first period with an unassisted goal. Mississauga (10-7-1) went in front early in the second period with goals 1:27 apart when Josh Burnside and Sam Babintsev each scored their second goals of the season. Goldberg made it 3-1 in the period, and added an empty netter in the third. Spencer Martin made 26 saves for the Steelheads, while Jordan DeKort also stopped 26 for the Rangers. --- KNIGHTS 6 OTTERS 2 LONDON, Ont.dddddddddddd— Brett Welychka and Bo Horvat each had a goal and two assists for the London Knights, as they handed Erie just its third loss of the season, with a 6-2 win over the Otters. Dakota Mermis, Chris Tierney, Alex Basso and Kyle Platzer also scored for the Knights (10-5-1), who converted three of the six power-play opportunities. OHL scoring leader Connor Brown opened the scoring for Erie (13-3-1) with his 15th of the season. He leads the points standings with 36. Andre Burakovsky also scored for the Otters, who got both of their goals on the power play. Anthony Stolarz made 27 saves for London, while Oscar Dansk stopped 33 of the 39 shots headed his way. --- GENERALS 5 PETES 3 OSHAWA, Ont. — Scott Laughton recorded his first-career five-point outing as the Generals beat Peterborough for their fourth win in a row. Laughton had two goals and three assists for Oshawa (13-3-1) while Michael Dal Colle and Cole Cassels each produced a goal and two assists. Chris Carlisle scored once to round out Oshawas offence. The Petes (7-9-1), who have dropped four straight contests, got their goals from Josh MacDonals, Eric Cornel and Matej Paulovic. Daniel Altshuller made 37 saves for the Generals while Peterboroughs Andrew DAgostini stopped 16-of-20 shots in defeat. --- ' ' '