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 The Brewers wasted a five-run lead before Kapler's hit. The Cardinals' loss came with an oddity: Slugger Albert Pujols wound up playing second base for the first time in his big league career.
Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen (1-1) walked Gabe Gross with one out. Gross then easily stole second, with Pujols covering the bag. Kapler followed with a flare to right-center and Gross scored without a throw as his teammates streamed out of the dugout.
Pujols began the game at first base, and shifted over in the bottom of the ninth after shortstop Cesar Izturis left because of a bruised right forearm. The Cardinals were carrying 13 pitchers and were short-handed, so Aaron Miles took over at short, catcher Jason LaRue moved to first and Yadier Molina came in to catch.
Seth McClung (1-0) pitched one perfect inning to earn the victory. The Brewers' beleaguered bullpen blew an 8-3 lead in the seventh inning
-- their defense didn't help, failing to turn a double play that would've ended the game.
Leading 8-7, Gagne made his fifth appearance in six days when he entered in the ninth. He immediately got into trouble, hitting Izturis with a pitch and allowing a single to Skip Schumaker that put runners on the corners with no outs.
Gagne got Rick Ankiel to chase a pitch for strike three, and Pujols hit what appeared to be a a tailor-made double-play grounder to third baseman Bill Hall.
But second baseman Rickie Weeks couldn't turn it, allowing Izturis to tie the game at 8.
Gagne blew his second straight save opportunity and fourth overall in 10 tries.
The Brewers' roster included 14 pitchers and just three position players as they wait for the reinstatement of center fielder Mike Cameron after a 25-game suspension.
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The Brewers scored four times in the sixth for an 8-3 lead. Weeks hit a bases-loaded triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Prince Fielder.
But Milwaukee reliever David Riske loaded the bases with no outs to start the seventh and was replaced by Brian Shouse, who allowed all three inherited runners to score. He was pulled in favor for reliever Salomon Torres, who walked Pujols on four pitches to make it 8-7.
Milwaukee's bullpen walked six in seven innings, and gave up five runs and seven hits.
Pujols doubled in the fifth and scored when Brewers starter Manny Parra balked and then threw a wild pitch.
[Associated Press; By COLIN FLY]
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
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