Hall's RBI single in 10th gives Brewers 1-0 win

[May 26, 2009]  MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Bill Hall snapped a 1-for-28 slump with a two-out, RBI single in the 10th inning to lift the Milwaukee Brewers to a 1-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter took a perfect game into the seventh inning, and the Brewers' Yovani Gallardo carried a no-hitter into the sixth before each finished allowing just two hits over eight innings.

Milwaukee closer Trevor Hoffman pitched a perfect ninth and Carlos Villanueva (2-3) the 10th for the Brewers, setting up Hall's dramatics off St. Louis' Kyle McClellan (2-2).

Casey McGehee reached on an error by third baseman Brian Barden to lead off the 10th for the Brewers. Prince Fielder was intentionally walked one out later and retired at second on Mike Cameron's fielder's choice.

After Cameron reached second on defensive indifference, Hall drove McClellan's pitch to right-center field and wasted no time touching first base before sprinting back in the dugout and into the clubhouse.

Carpenter extended his scoreless streak to 23 innings. He retired the first 18 batters and finished with 10 strikeouts and no walks.

Carpenter, who missed five weeks with a strained left rib cage muscle he hurt during a start against Arizona on April 14, hadn't faced Milwaukee since 2006, but was strong as the midafternoon shadows crept across the infield.

The 12-year veteran whose career has been derailed by elbow and shoulder injuries, finally allowed a single to Craig Counsell to lead off the seventh when second baseman Skip Schumaker couldn't make a diving stab. Cameron also singled in the eighth.

Carpenter, who threw 93 pitches in his second start since coming off the DL, left for McClellan to start the ninth and McClellan worked a perfect ninth before the rocky 10th.

Gallardo allowed two walks in the first inning, but retired 14 straight during one stretch until Brendan Ryan began the sixth with a slow chopper in the hole and beat shortstop Craig Counsell's throw.

Counsell, in for the injured J.J. Hardy, nearly collided with rookie third baseman Mat Gamel on the play, but Gallardo retired the next two before walking Albert Pujols intentionally to face Chris Duncan and got the ground out to end the threat.

Gallardo didn't allow another baserunner until a single by Schumaker in the eighth, but the young right-hander struck out Colby Rasmus and Pujols to end his day with six strikeouts.

Notes: Carpenter had at least 10 strikeouts for the 10th time in his career. ... The Brewers called up veteran OF Frank Catalanotto before Monday's game and sent LHP R.J. Swindle back to Triple-A Nashville. Catalanotto, who was cut at the end of spring training from Rangers camp to make room for Andruw Jones, signed with Milwaukee on May 12. Catalanotto played three games in Double-A Huntsville before being called up. "Last time I was in Double-A was 1996," Catalanotto said. "The only thing that's changed in that ballpark is the paint. They changed the paint color from blue to black." ... Hardy (back spasms) is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday. ... Commissioner Bud Selig was in attendance with his wife, Sue.

[Associated Press; By COLIN FLY]

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