Led by Christian Yelich’s silky smooth game
http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-adams-jersey , the Brewers are closing in on the playoffs.Yelich homered and drove in a career-high six runs, and surging Milwaukee hurt St. Louis’ postseason chances with a 12-4 victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday.“Just trying to help the boys out any way you can,” Yelich said. “A lot of guys came through in some big situations for us. That was a lot of fun tonight.”Ryan Braun went deep twice and Jesus Aguilar also connected as Milwaukee lowered its magic number for clinching a playoff spot to one. But the Brewers are thinking bigger after their fifth win in six games put them just a half-game back of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs.“I think the division is kind of what’s on our mind right now,” manager Craig Counsell said, “and I think we’ve earned that with the last two days.”Milwaukee (91-67) leads Colorado by 3½ games for the top wild card. St. Louis (87-71) dropped a half-game behind Colorado for the second NL wild card after the Rockies routed Philadelphia 10-3.“We have four games to play, and we feel good about the club we have and the kind of guys we have and the character we have and the talent we have,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “We’ll control what we can control and we’ll get after it and let the chips fall.”Following Wednesday’s series finale, Milwaukee closes the regular season with a weekend set at home against lowly Detroit. St. Louis also is off Thursday before beginning a three-game series against the slumping Cubs at Wrigley Field.Yadier Molina hit a three-run homer for the Cardinals, who had won six of seven before their 6-4 loss to Milwaukee on Monday night. Marcell Ozuna went 3 for 3 with a walk.St. Louis left the bases loaded in the fifth and seventh innings when Jedd Gyorko came up empty each time. Third baseman Mike Moustakas turned an inning-ending double play on Gyorko’s chopper near the bag in the fifth, and Gyorko flied to right for the final out of the seventh.“This one’s kind of on me,” Gyorko said. “I’ve got to find a way to get the job done in those situations.”Milwaukee scored 11 runs with two out, including its first six. Yelich came up with the bases loaded in the fourth and tripled into the gap in right-center, lifting the Brewers to a 6-0 lead. After Lorenzo Cain was intentionally walked with two out in the ninth, Yelich hit a three-run drive to center.“It’s part of the game
Ryan Zimmerman Jersey , but at the same time, it’s a challenge,” Yelich said of the walk to Cain. “As a competitor, you want to answer the challenge.”Yelich is batting .346 with seven homers and 28 RBIs in 22 games this month. He has 33 homers, 104 RBIs, 110 runs and 181 hits on the year, all career highs.Braun, who won the MVP award in 2011, said he thinks Yelich is about to join the club.“I can’t foresee a scenario in which he doesn’t win it,” Braun said. “He’s been so incredible for us in every facet of the game.”Taylor Williams (1-3), the second of six Milwaukee relievers after Gio Gonzalez pitched four innings, got three outs for the win. The Brewers used nine pitchers in their series-opening victory.Cardinals rookie Austin Gomber (6-2) was tagged for five runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.LONG GONECardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter and Shildt were ejected in the seventh inning. Carpenter argued with home plate umpire Will Little after he was called out on strikes, and then was thrown out as he walked toward the dugout.“I understand the importance of staying in these games,” Carpenter said. “So when I get thrown out of the game as I’m walking away
http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-adams-jersey , that’s something I have a problem with.”TRAINER’S ROOMBrewers: All-Star reliever Jeremy Jeffress was available after he missed the series opener because of neck spasms.Cardinals: 2B Kolten Wong returned to the starting lineup for the first time since he left Friday’s victory over San Francisco with cramps in both hamstrings. He struck out swinging as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of Monday’s loss. “Obviously at this point of the season no one’s 100 percent,” he said. “For me as long as I know I can run and I can play I’m going to be out there.”UP NEXTBrewers right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (14-8, 3.61 ERA) and Cardinals right-hander John Gant (7-6, 3.53 ERA) pitch Wednesday night in the series finale. Chacin is 0-3 with a 4.34 ERA in four September starts. Gant lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his last outing, yielding one run and four hits Friday against the Giants. The Dodgers and Rockies will battle for the division Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. Walker Buehler will be at the center of attention as he looks to give the Dodgers the edge."When the Dodgers were mired in a tough 16-26 stretch to open their season, manager Dave Roberts made a statement he believed to be true. “When it’s all said and done, the Dodgers will be at the top of the division.”Completing the sweep of the Giants Sunday gives Robert’s team the opportunity to prove him right. The Rockies and Dodgers will settle the NL West Monday at 1:09 p.m. PT with the winner hosting the Braves Thursday, while the loser heads to the wild card game to face either Chicago or Milwaukee.Originally slated to pitch Sunday afternoon at AT&T Park, Walker Buehler will now get the ball Monday in the decisive game in Los Angeles. Rich Hill filled in nicely, shutting the Giants down for seven innings in a 15-0 drubbing.After Colorado lost Saturday night, the powers that be for the Dodgers made the switch to Buehler, believing the 24-year-old rookie gives them the best chance to win against a powerful Rockies offense.“Our goal is to win the division,” said Roberts. “With Walker rested and having an extra day and right now, he’s our best. To win this game
Bryce Harper Jersey , to win the division, it’s in our hands -- at home.”Buehler hasn’t been shy about the amount of confidence he has in himself. His Dodger teammates are more than happy to have him out there after he has pitched like an ace since July.Over his last 11 starts, the right-hander has allowed 15 runs (13 earned) in 68 2鈦? innings, striking out 84 and allowing just 40 hits. Monday will be Buehler’s sixth start against Colorado this season. In the previous five, he yielded nine earned runs, eight of which came in two of the three starts at Coors Field. Throwing opposite of Buehler will be German Marquez, a 23-year-old righty that has had success against the Dodgers. In two starts at Chavez Ravine this season, Marquez has held the Dodgers to a combined two runs in 15 innings of work.“(Marquez) has pitched us tough,” said Roberts. “It’s going to be a battle. We’re going to grind and put together good at-bats and I’m sure they’re going to do the same. But I like our guy.”It would be nice for the Dodgers to have a fresh starter in their back pocket for a potential wild card game should things go sideways Monday afternoon. But it’s a luxury they don’t have at the moment with the way Ross Stripling has thrown the ball, making a win in Game 163 the best case scenario.“Obviously it’s not do-or-die but I think that it’s a must-win game,” Roberts added. “To win the game and get a couple days off and to host the division series is very important.”So they will hand the ball to their rising star, with the sixth straight division title at stake.“He’s all in.”