Field Level Media
May 13, 2021
Nolan Arenado had three hits and drove in a run as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals posted a 2-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the rubber match of a three-game series on Thursday.
Arenado's two-out single off right-hander Corbin Burnes (2-3) in the first inning scored Tommy Edman, who singled to lead off the game.
Burnes set the all-time record for consecutive strikeouts without a walk, extending his run to 58 before issuing his first free pass of the season in the fifth inning. The old mark of 56 was held by Gerrit Cole (2021) and Curt Schilling (2002), with Cole's streak still active.
The old record for strikeouts without a walk to begin a season was 51, held by Kenley Jansen (2017).
Jack Flaherty (7-0) struck out six and gave up four hits over six innings for St. Louis, which won for the 15th time in its last 20 games.
Alex Reyes struck out Tyrone Taylor with two runners on in the ninth inning for his 11th save in as many opportunities.
Flaherty, who posted his major-league-leading seventh win, entered the contest with an 0-3 record and 7.07 ERA in six previous starts in Milwaukee.
Burnes made his first start in two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. He gave up one run on five hits with nine strikeouts and one walk over five innings.
The Cardinals loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth inning, but Andrew Knizner flew out to right against Drew Rasmussen to end the threat.
St. Louis added an insurance run in the ninth when Lane Thomas scored from third on Angel Perdomo's errant pickoff throw to first. Perdomo induced Matt Carpenter to fly out with runners at second and third to end the inning and prevent further damage.
The Brewers made several stellar defensive plays, including a key double play to end the seventh. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain fielded Paul Goldschmidt's fly ball and threw to the plate to get Edman, who was trying to score from third base.
Milwaukee was held to four hits and went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. The Brewers have dropped eight of their last 11 games.
--Field Level Media