ST. LOUIS (AP) — Dexter Fowler was focused more on his team getting a win rather than his own production.

Fowler hit a bases-loaded double and drove in four runs, leading the St. Louis Cardinals past the Milwaukee Brewers 9-4 on Tuesday night in the second game of the series between NL Central contenders.

“It’s awesome to win games like this,” Fowler said. “Any time you get division wins against a top-tier team in your division, that’s a plus.”

Tyler Webb (1-1) earned his first major-league victory with one-third inning of work in his 79th career game. He struck out pitch-hitter Ben Gamel on four pitches. Six

Cardinals combined to throw 170 pitches in the game.

The Cardinals have won nine of their last 11 games, while the Brewers have lost six of their last eight. St. Louis remained in first place by a half-game over the Chicago Cubs, who beat San Francisco 5-3. Third-place Milwaukee is four games back.

St. Louis broke the game open with a four-run sixth against three Milwaukee relievers. Jeremy Jeffress (3-4) loaded the bases. Alex Claudio came in and struck out Kolten Wong. Junior Guerra entered and walked Harrison Bader, who was recalled earlier in the day. After striking out pinch-hitter Matt Carpenter, Fowler hit a 3-2 pitch into short left field that fell between three Brewers for a double and a 5-2 lead.

“That was a huge play play,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “I knew it had a chance and that it was falling fast. We got the carousel going. And we kept adding on from there.”

The Brewers believed the ball should have been caught.

“That was a tough ball to get to but I think we need to make that play,” Milwaukee shortstop Orlando Arcia said. “I think that was the play of the game. If we make that play, everything changes. Somebody has to call that ball.”

Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell agreed.

“Fowler just hit it between our guys,” Counsell said. “We didn’t catch the ball and they scored a bunch of runs. Three guys going for it and nobody could get to it.”

Wong hit a two-run single in the seventh, making it 7-2. The Cardinals added two more runs when Fowler and Tommy Edman drew bases-loaded walks.

Milwaukee went ahead 2-1 in the sixth. A two-out, run-scoring single by Eric Thames off reliever John Gant was charged to rookie Ryan Helsley, who pitched 1 1/3 innings.

Gant allowed back-to-back singles by Hernan Perez and Orlando Arcia for the second run before giving way to Webb.

Yadier Molina drove in the Cardinals’ first run, scoring Marcell Ozuna in the fourth. St. Louis then loaded the bases with two outs. Lane Thomas hit for starter Michael Wacha but flew out to center.

“That’s life in the National League I guess,” Wacha said. “You don’t know how many opportunities you’ll get in a game and that was his decision to make. Obviously, I was feeling good out there.”

Wacha struck out five, allowing three hits and a walk in throwing 73 pitches.

Milwaukee scored its final two runs in the eighth.

UP NEXT
Brewers: Adrian Houser (5-5, 3.76) Houser is 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA in three career games against St. Louis. His April 22 start this season in St. Louis resulted in a 13-5 in which Houser went four innings, allowing five runs on nine hits, including two home runs.
Cardinals: Adam Wainwright (9-8, 4.33) has nine career home victories over the Brewers are his most against any opponent and his 16 wins overall against Milwaukee are tied for tied for first (with Cubs) for his most wins against any opponent.