The Cardinals 4-3 loss to the Brewers was big, but the loss of closer Jason Isringhausen proved to be bigger.
Braden Looper – filling in for the injured Isringhausen – surrendered a game-winning RBI single to Tony Graffanino in the ninth. The sequence to Graffanino showed just how much the journeyman infielder never gives up. Graffanino fouled off six pitches before finally delivering the crushing blow.
It was a much needed hit for the Brewers, who saw their 3-0 lead disappear in the seventh on an Albert Pujols three-run homer. It was his 46th of the year and his 124,125, and 126th RBI of the season.
Milwaukee starter Chris Capuano had a shutout over six innings before Pujols’ blast. Cappy finished with three runs allowed on eight hits in seven innings. Chris Spurling pitched a scoreless eighth before turning the game over to Francisco Cordero who got the win.
Fortunately for the Redbirds, the Reds lost to Houston 5-3, lowering their magic number to seven.