MILWAUKEE — What started with Steven Matz zeroing in on his first chance to make a better second impression with his new club became the first true showcase of the season for how the Cardinals intend to end taut games.
The Cardinals’ bullpen inherited a one-run lead in the sixth inning Saturday, got a vital boost with another run in the eighth, and shepherded the game through the final 10 outs. Right-hander Giovanny Gallegos, the Cardinals’ closer who is advertised as available in any inning needed, took over in the eighth and secured a 2-1 victory against Milwaukee at American Family Field.
Paul DeJong’s 100th double of his career produced the game’s only run in its first seven innings. In the eighth, Nolan Arenado, the National League’s leading hitter, doubled, and designated hitter Corey Dickerson drove home Arenado to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. Milwaukee would cleave that lead in half with No. 9 hitter Victor Caratini’s homer with two outs in the eighth inning off lefty Genesis Cabrera. That was the last pitch Cabrera threw.
