New Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen struck out the side in the 9th inning, to preserve a 6-5 Cardinals victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cardinals led 4-0 in the top of the seventh, when the Brewers scored five times to take the lead. Reliever Dave Veres (1-0), the fourth pitcher of the inning, stopped the rally, then got the Brewers out in the eighth to pick up the win. When reliever Steve Kline gave up a double to Milwaukee leadoff man Geoff Jenkins in the 9th, Isringhausen was brought in to pick up the save. Eli Marrero had three hits for the Cardinals. Edgar Renteria was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Starter Garrett Stephenson pitched well, allowing only two hits before tiring in the 7th inning. Milwaukee’s Jose Cabrera (0-1) took the loss. Manager Tony LaRussa missed the game, and will be away from the team indefinitely, because his father died.
