Brewers drop to two games out of first in Central League

• Milwaukee Brewers

"WI Sports" brewers cardinals

Talk about it

The Milwaukee bullpen ruined Manny Parra’s stellar return to the Brewers Thursday.

Parra gave up three hits in seven scoreless innings in his first start after a month in the minors. But three relievers surrendered five runs in the eighth, to give St. Louis a 5-1 victory over the Brew Crew.

The Cardinals took two-of-three in their series at Miller Park and they left town with a two-game lead over second-place Milwaukee in the National League Central.

Mike Cameron singled home the Brewers’ only run and Prince Fielder had the team’s only other hits with a single and a double.

The Brewers hit into three double plays, and they left no one on base for only the ninth time in their history.

Albert Pujols doubled home the game-winning run in the eighth, and then Ryan Ludwick put it out of reach with his second three-run homer of the series.

Carlos Villanueva took the loss, giving up two runs without registering an out. He’s now 2-5.

Joel Pineiro tossed a three-hitter for his third complete game of the season. He’s now 7-9, as the Cardinals have won six of their last eight.

Brewers’ right fielder Corey Hart missed his second straight game after fouling a pitch off his right foot Tuesday night.

Milwaukee has lost three of four, as it heads into a weekend series with the team with the National League’s best record, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Game 1 is tonight at Miller Park. Right-hander Braden Looper faces Dodgers’ right-hander Chad Billingsley.

Tags: wi sports, brewers, cardinals