I’m not sure this game will top the finish I just saw at the World Cup. Playing with 10 men, Germany scored on a set piece in the 95^th minute to beat Sweden 2-1. It’s nice to have soccer to take my mind off the slumping Cards lately.

This afternoon, it’s Chase Anderson vs. Miles Mikolas.

His mustache is gone! He looks several years younger. He had said earlier that “it’s time for a change.”

I support this notion. It’s not that I disliked the mustache. It’s because this teams needs a change of some sort. And if it’s a razor that sparks a pitcher to dominate and lead his team to a much-needed victory than so be it.

1^st inning – Cards strand 1 base runner (Martinez walked).

The Brewers strike first. Here’s what happened: Thames led off with a base hit. The next play was a fielder’s choice. Mikolas found himself in trouble after drilling Lorenzo Cain in the back with a pitch and walking the next guy. Clean up hitter Aguilar comes up with the bases loaded and 1 out. He hits a sac fly to Bader in deep right, 1-0.The next batter singles to put Milwaukee up 2-0. Not great.

 

2^nd inning – On a 3-1 pitch, Yadi hits his 10^th homer of the season to cut the lead to 2-1. Boom! What makes Yadi such a good hitter to the opposite field? His power is quite impressive late in his career. Munoz with a single but that’s all for the Birds.

Mikolas allows one hit but the Cards play good defense and get out of the inning by turning a nice double play. It’s still 2-1 them.

 

3^rd inning – The Cardinals make Anderson throw a lot of pitches but can’t scratch a run across, stranding two more base runners. Martinez and Ozuna had walked.

It’s a 1-2-3 inning for Mikolas. 2-1, MIL.

 

4^th inning – Chase Anderson already has 7 strikeouts.

I just checked the score and the Reds are beating the Cubs 8-1. Mikolas is looking good now. 2-1 as we head to the fifth.

 

5^th inning – Carpenter walks. You’d like to see fewer strikeouts and more balls like Martinez just hit – to the warning track in right.   At least put the ball in play and hit it hard. Tommy Pham is in a big slump.

Mikolas has really settled in, working the breaking ball inside on a lot of hitters. He has forced the Brewers into a lot of groundouts and has a good pitch count through 5.

Anderson goes 5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB and 9 Ks.

 

6^th inning – Chase Anderson it out. Jeffress is in. After a Marcell Ozuna single, WOW! Yadi sends a deep one to right and it’s off the wall and gone! The Cardinals have the lead 3-2! It just kept carrying. Yadi’s second homer of the day.

No runs, no hits, no base runners for the Brewers in the sixth. That’s 14 straight retired by Mikolas.

 

7^th inning – The Brew Crew turns to reliever Taylor Williams. He shuts the Birds down. Man, Pham is 0-4 today with four strikeouts. Rough afternoon!

Mikolas issues a 1 out walk. A golden chance to turn a double play equals an error on Gyorko. His throw from second was wide. Let’s hope they don’t capitalize on that.That will be all for Mikolas. Good outing. Jordan Hicks is in.After advancing to second on the error, Perez steals third base. Hicks gets the key out and it stays 3-2 Redbirds.

Final line for Mikolas: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB and 5 Ks.

 

8^th inning – Houser is pitching for Milwaukee.  No runs for the Birds. In the bullpen we trust!

Gomber is in the game. The first hitter gets a single. Kolten Wong (now in for Gyorko) makes a terrific play to tag out the runner and throw to first in time for a double play.  Gomber nails Yelich on the left hand. That’s got to hurt. Exit, Gomber. Enter, Tui. Ryan Braun hits a slow grounder to short and both runners are safe. A walk makes the bases loaded and I’m really nervous. Tui gets a groundout and the Cards keep the 3-2 lead. One more inning!

 

9^th inning – Cards can’t add any insurance runs.

Just need three outs. THREE OUTS. You’ve got this, Bud.

There’s one (strikeout). Perez reaches safely on an infield single. It’s a ground ball double play to end it.

 

Every win seems so huge right now. Thanks to Yadi’s two homers the Cards get just enough offense and hang on for a 3-2 victory. Miles Mikolas was very good. The bullpen did not allow a run.

Final score: Cards 3, Brewers 2.