After getting swept by the Texas Rangers in a three-game series, the Brewers saw all facets of their game click Friday evening in an 8-2 win over NL Central rival St. Louis at Uecker Field.

Quinn (The Reverend) Priester went 5-plus innings for Milwaukee in earning his 12th straight victory. At the same time, Christian Yelich responded to chants of ‘Yeli, Yeli’ by slamming the next pitch for a 432-foot homer off the centerfield scoreboard. Add to that a scoreless bullpen outing by three relief pitchers, and it added up to a big win over the Cardinals, extending the Brewers’ lead in the NL Central to 5.5 games over the Chicago Cubs.

The Inning That Was
In the bottom of the third, Jake Bauers and Caleb Durbin both drew walks off starter Andre Pallante, who had retired six straight Brewers on grounders to start the game. Joey Ortiz dropped a perfect bunt between the mound and the third base line and reached first on a bad throw to first by Pallante. Sal Frelick drew a walk to force in Bauers for the Brewers’ first run. Jackson Chourio hit a flyball to medium right field that was caught by Jordan Walker. The outfielder’s strong throw bounced off Durbin’s helmet as he slid into home, also allowing Ortiz to score on the play to give Milwaukee a 3-0 lead. Brice Turang grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Frelick to make it 4-0. The four-run inning was the 52nd time Milwaukee has scored four runs or more in an inning, leading the major leagues.

The Inning That Wasn’t
Three innings later, the Brewers had four base runners but failed to score. Leading 5-2 going into the bottom of the sixth, Yelich led off and grounded out. Isaac Collins singled but then made a major blunder, taking off for second against lefthander John King. Two throws later, the scorebook showed a 1-3-6 caught stealing for the second out. Andrew Vaughn pinch-hit and walked, ending King’s night. Reliever Jorge Alcala was greeted by a bunt single by Durbin and a ‘swinging bunt’ by Ortiz to load the bases. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, Frelick lined to second to end the inning.

Yeli, Yeli
In a scene that was reminiscent of a Hollywood movie, Yelich came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh with a runner on second and the Brewers leading, 5-2. With two strikes on the Brewers’ star, the crowd started chanting ‘Yeli, Yeli.’ Yelich rifled a 432-foot shot off the center field scoreboard to send the crowd into a delirious state and give Milwaukee a 7-2 lead. I’m not sure why the fans didn’t demand a curtain call, but they should have. It was a key moment by the Brewers legend.

Top Performers
Jackson Chourio, 2-for-3, 2 RBI
Christian Yelich, 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Isaac Collins, 2-for-4
Joey Ortiz, 2-for-4
Quinn Priester, 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

On Tap
The Brewers host St. Louis Saturday and Sunday. The Brewers currently lead the season series five games to 3.