Brewers clinch NL Central despite loss to Cardinals | News, Sports, Jobs

Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) celebrates with teammates after clinching the National League Central Division on Sunday in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Iván Herrera hit a two-run homer, José Fermín drove in three runs and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 on Sunday.

The Brewers still clinched the NL Central title, but they had to wait until the Chicago Cubs’ 1-0 loss at Cincinnati ended less than a half-hour later.

Matthew Liberatore (8-12) held Milwaukee’s lineup in check, striking out six in five innings while allowing just one run. Matt Svanson, Ryan Fernandez and Riley O’Brien combined for four scoreless innings of relief.

Herrera smashed a 419-foot home run over the left-field bullpen against Robert Gasser (0-1) in the third inning. Gasser was called up from Triple-A to make his season debut as the Brewers placed Brandon Woodruff on the injured list with a lat strain.

St. Louis recorded only three hits, but also drew seven walks.

Erick Fedde, pitching at Busch Stadium for the first time since the Cardinals dealt him to Atlanta in July, walked the first two batters he faced before allowing a two-run double by Fermín that stretched the lead to 4-0.

Fermin also walked with the bases loaded in the eighth.

Milwaukee RHP Freddy Peralta (17-6, 2.65 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series tonight at San Diego, which had not announced its starter.

Woodruff, who returned this season after October 2023 shoulder surgery, felt something amiss in his tricep during a bullpen session Saturday, and an initial evaluation traced the issue to the lat in his upper back.

Manager Pat Murphy said closer Trevor Megill, who has been out since late August with a right flexor strain, could return for the season finale if his bullpen sessions Tuesday and Friday go well.

Braves 6

Tigers 2

DETROIT (AP) — Ha-Seong Kim homered and drove in two runs as the Atlanta Braves won their eighth straight game with a win over the slumping Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

The Tigers went 0-6 on their last homestand of the season, losing by a combined score of 36-14. They have lost nine of their last 10 as their lead in the American League Central has dropped to one game over the Cleveland Guardians.

Spencer Strider (7-13) pitched five scoreless innings, allowing six hits and three walks while striking out six. Six Atlanta relievers finished the game.

Casey Mize (14-6) gave up three runs on five hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings.

The Braves scored a run in three straight innings — the third through fifth — and the Tigers couldn’t get the key hit they needed.

Tanner Rainey made his Tigers debut to start Atlanta’s three-run ninth inning. He allowed two walks and an RBI double without getting an out. Paul Sewald relieved him with the score at 4-0 and allowed a sacrifice fly and an RBI double.

Detroit opens a three-game series against the Guardians today to decide first place in the AL Central. Tigers ace LHP Tarik Skubal (13-5, 2.23) will face RHP Gavin Williams (11-5, 3.06).