The Cardinals received bad news in the loss of closer Jason Isringhausen. That was the worst news the Brewers could get too because St. Louis took out their frustration with a 12-2 demolition Tuesday.

Aaron Miles – filling in for the also injured David Eckstein – had four hits and three RBI. Ronnie Belliard had three hits including a solo homer. Albert Pujols had two hits and drove in two runs.

Starter Jeff Weaver looked like the acquisition the Cardinals thought they were getting when they traded for him. Weaver tossed six strong innings giving up two runs on five hits and striking out four to get the win.

The bullpen didn’t need Izzy in this contest. Josh Kinney, Jorge Sosa, and Adam Wainright each pitched a scoreless inning to make sure the lead would stand up.

The game was still in the balance at 4-2 after six innings. But that was before the Cardinals exploded for six runs in the seventh and pulled away.

Milwaukee starter Ben Sheets (5-7) was saddled with the loss giving up four runs on 10 hits while striking out eight. Reliever Derrick Turnbow let the game slip away surrendering five runs – two earned – in just 1/3 inning.

The Cardinals magic number is six.