Cardinals 2, Brewers 1
Edwin Jackson pitched seven strong innings and stroked an RBI single as the St. Louis Cardinals improved their flickering postseason hopes with a 2-1 victory over the host Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.
The Cardinals moved within 8 1/2 games of the Braves in the National League wild card race, and 9 1/2 behind the NL Central-leading Brewers, who fell to 50-17 at home.
Jackson (4-2) allowed one run on six hits in his duel with Shaun Marcum (11-5), the hard-luck loser who allowed four hits and two unearned runs in seven innings.
St. Louis scored both its runs in the fifth after infield errors by Prince Fielder and Jerry Hairston Jr. Jackson's RBI single was followed by Jon Jay's sacrifice fly.
The Brewers, 21-6 in August, have one more chance to break the franchise record for wins in any month Wednesday against the Cardinals.
Milwaukee right fielder Corey Hart extended his hitting streak to 12 games and is 15-for-30 over his last eight games after a 2-for-4 night.
Fernando Salas earned his 23rd save in 28 chances when he induced Mark Kotsay to hit into a game-ending double play.