Live-Blogging: St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers 09/20/2021

MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers 09/20/2021

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is a National League Central Showdown, between St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers.

Cardinals have a 3-game lead on the 2nd NL Wild Card. They have Brewers and Cubs left on their schedule for home-and-homes.

While the Brewers are in the Postseason, but their magic number of wrapping up the NL Central is 3 games. So, that means the Brewers need to split this 4-game series if they want to clinch the division against the 2nd Place Cardinals.
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Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are a pair of right-handers. Jake Woodford will start for the Cardinals. While Freddy Peralta will take the ball for the Brewers. Woodford has a strikeout/walk ratio of 1.90, a pitches/plate appearance of 3.97, and groundout/airout of 0.96. Meanwhile, Peralta comes in with a K/BB ratio of 3.35, 4.09 P/PA, and 0.53 GO/AO.

Correction: Jon Lester is the starter, for the St. Louis Cardinals. Lester's numbers are 1.67 K/BB, 3.80 P/PA, and 1.15 GO/AO in 2021. 
 
It is St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, coming up shortly.
 
Starting Lineups:
St. Louis Cardinals:

1. Tommy Edman, 2B
2. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
3. Tyler O’Neill, LF
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Dylan Carlson, RF
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Edmundo Sosa, SS
8. Harrison Bader, CF
9. Jon Lester, P

 
Milwaukee Brewers:

1. Kolten Wong, 2B
2. Willy Adames, SS
3. Eduardo Escobar, 1B
4. Avasail Garcia, RF
5. Christian Yelich, LF
6. Luis Urias, SS
7. Manny Pina, C
8. Jackie Bradley, Junior, CF

       9. Freddy Peralta, P

Cardinals are in their road gray uniforms, red caps with a white 'STL' on the hats.  While Brewers are in their home white uniforms, with blue caps and the 'MB' glove on the hats. 

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Edman
2. Goldschmidt
3. O'Neill
Freddy Peralta (RHP) now starting as Brewers Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
​First Pitch around 6:41 pm CDT.
Edman strikes out on a foul tip caught by Pina (3 pitches). 1 out.
Goldschmidt strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
O'Neill hits a 2-out single to center field (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
HOME RUN: Nolan Arneado hits a 2-run homer off Freddy Peralta (1 pitch). STL 2, MIL 0
Carlson singles to right field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Molina grounds into 6-4 fielder's choice (2 pitches). 3 outs.

Middle of 1st Inning:
STL 2, MIL 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Wong
2. Adames
3. Escobar
Jon Lester (LHP) now starting as Cardinals Pitcher.
​​Wong lines out to Bader (2 pitches). 1 out.
Adames pops out to Sosa (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Escobar lines out to Bader (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Brewers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 1st Inning.


End of 1st Inning:
STL 2, MIL 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
​7. Sosa
8. Bader
9. Lester 
Peralta currently at 18 pitches.
​Sosa strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
Bader doubles to left field (2 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
Lester grounds out to Peralta (4 pitches). Bader advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 2 outs.
Edman strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Cardinals strand a base runner.

Middle of 2nd Inning;
STL 2, MIL 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Garcia
5. Yelich
6. Urias
Lester currently at 10 pitches.
​Earlier This Month, I Live-Blogged Reds 12-2 Victory Over Cardinals 
HOME RUN: Garcia hits a solo home run off Lester (4 pitches). STL 2, MIL 1
Yelich pops out to Sosa (7 pitches). 1 out.
HOME RUN: Urias hits a solo home run off Lester (1 pitch). STL 2, MIL 2
Pina flies out to O'Neill (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Bradley grounds out to Edman (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Brewers get a couple of runs, off homers by Avasail Garcia and Luis Urias. 


End of 2nd Inning:
STL 2, MIL 2

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
2. Goldschmidt, 0-1
3. O'Neill, 1-1
4. Arneado, 1-1, HR, 2 RBI
Peralta currently at 34 pitches.
​Goldschmidt flies out to Bradley (3 pitches). 1 out.
O'Neill fouls out to Escobar (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Arneado strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs. 
Cardinals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.


Middle of 3rd Inning:
STL 2, MIL 2

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
9. Peralta
1. Wong, 0-1
2. Adames, 0-1
Lester currently at 26 pitches.
Lions Leading Packers 7-0; 1st Quarter 
Peralta strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
Wong grounds out to Lester (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Adames flies out to Bader (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Brewers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.


End of 3rd Inning:
STL 2, MIL 2

​Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Carlson, 1-1
6. Molina, 0-1
7. Sosa, 0-1
Peralta currently at 45 pitches.
MLB Scores:
Carlson lines out to Wong (4 pitches). 1 out.
Molina strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Sosa hits a 2-out infield single to shortstop (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Bader grounds into 6-4 fielder's choice (1 pitch). Sosa is out at 2nd. 3 outs.


Middle of 4th Inning:
STL 2, MIL 2

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Escobar, 0-1
4. Garcia, 1-1, HR, RBI
5. Urias, 1-1, HR, RBI
Lester currently at 35 pitches.
Escobar fouls out to Goldschmidt (6 pitches). 1 out.
Garcia flies out to Carlson (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Yelich grounds out to Edman (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Brewers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 4th Inning.


End of 4th Inning:
STL 2, MIL 2

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Lester, 0-1
1. Edman, 0-2
2. Goldschmidt, 0-2
Peralta currently at 60 pitches.
Packers and Lions are Knotted up at 7-7; 2nd Quarter 
Lester strikes out on a foul tip caught by Pina (4 pitches). 1 out.
​Edman fouls out to Pina (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Goldschmidt pops out to Escobar (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Cardinals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.


Middle of 5th Inning:
STL 2, MIL 2

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Urias, 1-1, HR, RBI
7. Pina, 0-1
8. Bradley, 0-1
Lester currently at 49 pitches.
Urias pops out to Edman (7 pitches). 1 out.
Bradley singles to center field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Peralta strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.


Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
3. O'Neill, 1-2
4. Arenado, 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
5. Carlson, 1-2
Peralta currently at 72 pitches.
Back in July, I Live-Blogged Brewers 5-3 Win Over Reds 
O'Neill draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Arenado cracked the 100-RBI Mark, in the Top of 1st Inning with his 2-run homer. 
Arenado singles to right field (1 pitch). O'Neill advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
O'Neill pops out to Bradley (3 pitches). 1 out.
RBI-SINGLE: Molina hits an RBI-Single to left field (3 pitches). O'Neill scores. Arenado moves to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. STL 3, MIL 2
​BREWERS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: STL 5, MIL 4
Sosa gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Brent Suter (LHP) and Hunter Strickland (RHP) warming up in Brewers Bullpen.
Bader strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Cardinals get a run, but strand a pair of base runners.


Middle of 6th Inning:
STL 3, MIL 2

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Wong, 0-2
2. Adames, 0-2
3. Escobar, 0-2
Lester currently at 65 pitches.
Wong flies out to Carlson (2 pitches). 1 out.
Kodi Whitley (RHP) warming up in Cardinals Bullpen.
Adames grounds out to Arenado (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Escobar lines out to Bader (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Brewers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.


End of 6th Inning:
STL 3, MIL 2

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Lester?
1. Edman, 0-3
2. Goldschmidt, 0-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Hunter Strickland (RHP) replaces Freddy Peralta, as Brewers Pitcher.
PINCH-HITTING: Matt Carpenter pinch-hitting for Jon Lester.
MLB Scores:
Both Lester and Peralta will get quality starts. Lester currently on record for the win. While Peralta is currently on record for the loss.
Carpenter hits a lead-off double (3 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
Edman grounds out to Wong (2 pitches). Carpenter moves to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 1 out.
RBI-SACRIFICE-FLY: Goldschmidt hits an RBI-Sac-Fly to Bradley (3 pitches). Carpenter scores. 2 outs. STL 4, MIL 2
O'Neill strikes out on a foul tip caught by Pina (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Cardinals get a run, in their half of 7th Inning.


Middle of 7th Inning:
STL 4, MIL 2

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Garcia, 1-2, HR, RBI
5. Yelich, 0-2
6. Urias, 1-2, HR, RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Kodi Whitley (RHP) replaces Jon Lester, as Cardinals Pitcher.
Garcia strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
Yelich grounds out to Arenado (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Urias flies out to O'Neill (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Brewers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

End of 7th Inning:
STL 4, MIL 2

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Arenado, 2-3, HR, 2 RBI
5. Carlson, 1-3
6. Molina, 1-3, RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Brent Suter (LHP) replaces Hunter Strickland, as Brewers Pitcher.
​Arenado draws a lead-off walk (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Carlson sac bunts to Escobar (1 pitch). Escobar to Suter. Arenado moves to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
BREWERS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: STL 5, MIL 3
RBI-SINGLE: Molina hits an RBI-Single to left center field (5 pitches). Arenado scores. Runner on 1st. STL 5, MIL 2
DOUBLE PLAY: Sosa grounds into 6-4-3 double play (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Cardinals get a run, in their half of 8th Inning.

Middle of 8th Inning:
STL 5, MIL 2

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Pina, 0-2
8. Bradley, 1-2
9. Suter?
​Whitley currently at 9 pitches.
T.J. McFarland (LHP) warming up in Cardinals Bullpen.
Packers Leading Lions 21-17, 3rd Quarter 
Pina draws a lead-off walk (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
PITCHING CHANGE: T.J. McFarland (LHP) replaces Kodi Whitley, as Cardinals Pitcher.
​DOUBLE PLAY: Bradley grounds into 5-3 double play (4 pitches). 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Pablo Reyes pinch-hitting for Brent Suter.
Reyes flies out to Carlson (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Brewers side is retired.


End of 8th Inning:
STL 5, MIL 2

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Bader, 1-3
9. McFarland?
1. Edman, 0-4
PITCHING CHANGE: Miguel Sanchez (RHP) replaces Brent Suter, as Brewers Pitcher.
Jake Woodford (RHP) will start tomorrow. Cardinals switched Lester and Woodford, for the possibility of the Southpaw to start in Cardinals 1st game in the NL Postseason. That is according to Brian Anderson. 
Bader gets hit by a pitch (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
PINCH-HITTING: Lars Nootbaar pinch-hitting for T.J. McFarland.
Nootbaar reaches on a 1-6 fielder's choice (1 pitch). Bader is out at 2nd. Runner on 1st. 1 out.
Luis Garcia (RHP) warming up in Cardinals Bullpen.
Edman pops out to Adames (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Goldschmidt flies out to Bradley (2 pitches). 3 outs. 


Middle of 9th Inning:
STL 5, MIL 2

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Wong, 0-3
2. Adames, 0-3
3. Escobar, 0-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Luis Garcia (RHP) replaces T.J. McFarland, as Cardinals Pitcher.
​Wong flies out to O'Neill (2 pitches). 1 out.
Adames strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Escobar grounds out to Goldschmidt, unassisted (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Brewers go down 1-2-3, to end the Game. 

Final:
STL 5, MIL 2
STL: (80-69)
MIL: (91-59)
W: Lester (7-6)
L: Peralta (9-5)
SV: L. Garcia (1)
PoG: Lester (STL) 6 IP, W, QS, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 K, 0 BB
ToG: 2:43

Final Thoughts:
Peralta and Lester got quality starts. However, Peralta gave up a lead-off walk to Tyler O'Neill. And Yadier Molina made them pay with his first of 2 RBIs. Cardinals scored 3 runs without the home run ball today. 

For the Brewers, their only two runs came from the long ball. And their pitching staff gave up 1 more walk than the Cardinals Pitching Staff. The Redbirds gave up 1 base on balls, tonight.

With the win, the Cardinals are now 3.5 games in front of Reds for 2nd NL Wild Card. And they cut the Brewers NL Central Lead to 10.5 games. Milwaukee's Magic Number is still at 3 games for that division crown.

Cardinals will start right-hander Jake Woodford. While Brandon Woodruff will go for the Brew Crew. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.
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