Rodriguez gets first save as Brewers hold on

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Francisco Rodriguez earned his first save as the Milwaukee Brewers’ new closer, and the Crew edged Saint Louis 3-2 last night at Miller Park. “K”-Rod was given the closer’s job earlier in the day, after John Axford blew his sixth save opportunity on Monday night. Rodriguez did not make things easy – he put runners on first and third before he got the next three batters to ground out, strike out, and pop out. And that gave him his 293rd career save, with most of the others coming with Anaheim and the New York Mets. Rickie Weeks put the Brewers in front for good with a long homer to left center in the fourth inning. Corey Hart and Aramis Ramirez had R-B-I singles. John Jay had an R-B-I double for the Cards, and Carlos Beltran drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Brewers’ All-Star Ryan Braun left the game after he aggravated a strained groin from spring training. Cardinals’ outfielder Matt Holliday left with a bruise above his left knee, after being hit by a Randy Wolf fastball. Wolf earned his first win since April 30th, allowing two runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and a walk in six-and-two-thirds innings. He’s now 3-and-6. Redbirds’ starter Joe Kelly took the loss. He’s 1-and-2. The Cardinals’ Lance Berkman was ejected in the seventh for arguing balls-and-strikes. The Brewers gained a half-game in a tight National League Wild Card race, but they’re still six-and-a-half back. And they remain eight behind first-place Cincinnati in the N-L Central. The Brewers and Cardinals will close out their three-game series this afternoon at Miller Park. Rookie right-hander Tyler Thornburg starts against Cardinals’ right-hander Adam Wainwright.

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The Brewers expect starter Shaun Marcum to return in early August, as he recovers from tightness in his right throwing elbow. It’s been just over a month since Marcum started a game. Yesterday, he had his second successful catch-and-throw session – and he could start throwing from a mound later this week. Manager Ron Roenicke says Marcum is throwing nicely, and he expects one more catch session before he can throw from a mound. Marcum is 5-3 with a 3.39 E-R-A. His replacement, Mike Fiers, is pitching very well with a 3-and-3 mark an E-R-A of just over two in seven starts.

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