Diaz's pinch-homer propels Cardinals past Brewers
MILWAUKEE -- Aledmys Diaz broke a 1-1 tie with a pinch-hit, home run to lead off the seventh inning and St. Louis bullpen worked three scoreless innings in the Cardinals' 4-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday evening at Miller Park.
That combination made a winner of Lance Lynn (2-1), who scattered three hits with two walks while striking out seven.
The Cardinals managed just one unearned run off Chase Anderson, who gave up six hits and a walk with six strikeouts.
Travis Shaw's RBI double gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Anderson allowed leadoff doubles in each of his first three innings, but the Cardinals couldn't do anything with them and trailed heading into the fourth.
Yadier Molina flied out to open the fourth and Randal Grichuk followed with St. Louis' fourth double of the day. A diving catch by Ryan Braun robbed Kolten Wong of a base hit.
Braun easily had Grichuk caught off second base, but his throw was high and bounced all the way past first base, allowing Grichuk to score and tie it at 1.
Milwaukee had a chance to take the lead in the fifth when Keon Broxton singled, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by Molina but got caught in a rundown after Anderson struck out, ending the inning.
Anderson had only thrown 89 pitches when the Brewers turned to Carlos Torres (0-2), who left a 2-2 fastball just enough over the plate for Diaz to smack it to left-center field for his fourth of the year.
Milwaukee loaded the bases in the eighth against Brett Cecil but couldn't cash in.
Jedd Gyorko added some breathing room in the ninth with a triple to right. He scored on an error by Domingo Santana.
Seung Hwan Oh worked a perfect ninth for his fourth save of the season.
NOTES: OF Dexter Fowler was held out of the Cardinals' lineup, still feeling discomfort in his heel that forced him out of Friday's game after just five innings. Greg Garcia moved into the leadoff spot and Randal Grichuk started in place of Fowler in center. ... Brewers RHP Matt Garza threw a bullpen session as he prepares to make his 2017 debut Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. Garza was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right groin just before opening day but having thrown 87 pitches in his last rehab start, Garza will not be on a pitch limit Monday.