Gabes reclaim win in 12th, 9-8

After taking an 8-3 lead into the 7th, and even an 8-7 lead into the 9th, it took Gabe Kapler to drive in Gabe Gross in the 12th for the Brewers to finally put away the Cards and earn a series split.
After Manny Parra gave up a run in the second, and another in the third, the Crew got to Cards’ starter Kyle Lohse for three in the third, and another in the fourth.
The Brewers then scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth–after Gross walked, Kapler singled Gross to second, each advancing on Jason Kendall’s bunt single. With the bases loaded, Rickie Weeks sliced an 0-1 curveball to left for a triple to plate all three baserunners; Weeks would later score the fourth run on a Prince Fielder sac fly.
But two relievers who have struggled a bit of late continued down that path–David Riske allowed 3 ER’s and Brian Shouse also allowed a run of his own to put the Cardinals within one.
Eric Gagne was brought into close; but Gagne started by plunking shortstop Cesar Izturis (Izturis had to leave the game, resulting in the right-side of the infield rotating a spot, including Albert Pujols playing four innings at second base); Skip Schumaker singled Izturis over to third. After getting Rick Ankiel to strike out, Pujols grounded into what should have been a clean 5-4-3 double play…but Weeks’ throw to Fielder skipped, Fielder couldn’t come up with it, and Pujols was safe, while Izturis scored the tying run.
Gross and Kapler combined for the winning run three innings later.
Jason Kendall caught Parra on Tuesday…usually Mike Rivera catches Parra, but Yost apparently wanted to see if having Kendall behind the plate would help. Parra only fanned 2 over 5 IP, but allowed 9 hits, a pair of walks, and 3 ER’s. The Brewers’ offense collected 15 hits…including mult-hits for Weeks (2-for-5), Braun (2-for-5), Fielder (3-for-3), Gross (2-for-4), and Kapler (2-for-4). Only Weeks (.192) and Bill Hall (.185) remain below the Mendoza line, while Kapler’s .382 BA now leads the Crew, just ahead of Kendall’s .333.