Yadier Molina singled twice to reach 2,000 career hits and the St. Louis Cardinals began a five-game series between playoff contenders by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 Thursday night.
Rookie Dylan Carlson homered, doubled and drove in three runs. St. Louis starter Kwang Hyun Kim (3-0) went five innings to pick up the win. He allowed five hits and just one run in his seventh career start. Andrew Miller got the final two outs — both on strikeouts — to record his fourth save.
The slumping Cubs lead over second place St. Louis is now just 2 and a half games. Idle Cincinnati is in third place, three games out. Fourth place Brewers are now 4 1/2 games out.
Doubleheader at Busch Stadium Friday, RHP Jack Flaherty (4-2, 4.84)will start Game 1 and RHP Daniel Ponce de Leon (0-3, 5.74) will start Game 2. We’ll have coverage of game one on KIRX this afternoon, 3:20 with the pregame and first pitch at 4:15.