Brewers Top Cards In Defensive Battle

Steve Woodard is pitching like he's planning on staying in Milwaukee's starting rotation for a while.

Woodard, who got a chance to start when Jose Mercedes went on the disabled list, struck out a season-high 11 batters to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.

"I was getting ahead of most of the guys I was facing," Woodard said. "Once I got ahead of the guys, I was able to throw three pitches for strikes. Any time you can throw three pitches for strikes you have guys guessing up there because they have no idea of what you're throwing."

Jeff Cirillo provided the offense for the Brewers with a two-run, home run. The Cardinals scored their only run without the assistance of Mark McGwire, who was 1-for-4 with a strikeout and a single.

Having good control is nothing new for Woodard (8-5), who gave up six hits and no walks in 6 1-3 innings. He has allowed only one walk in his last 27 1-3 innings.

Woodard struck out the first five batters he faced and didn't allow a hit until pitcher Bobby Witt singled with one out in the third. But Milwaukee manager Phil Garner says that is not as good as Woodard can pitch.

"He's actually pitched better than that," Garner said. "He has good control and he varies speed all the time. When he keeps the pitches where he wants to, he's pretty successful."

Garner added that Woodard nearly earned the fifth starting spot in spring training. Woodard now has a five-game win streak.

"I'm just happy to be up here," Woodard said. "I'm going to try to contribute any way I can."

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said the Cardinals gave Woodward some assistance.

"He's got a winning record and an ERA under 4.00 in this league," La Russa said. "He's a good pitcher, but we helped him with a bunch of chases."

Bob Wickman worked the ninth for his 17th save, retiring Royce Clayton on a groundout with the bases loaded to end the game. After Wickman walked the bases full, Clayton swung at the first pitch.

"I'd like to see him make a better pass (than that)," La Russa said of Clayton. "But those are RBI chances. That's how you drive in runs."

Cirillo hit his ninth homer in the sixth after Fernando Vina reached on a walk.

The Cardinals scored their run in the fifth as Gary Gaetti doubled for the fourth time in his last five at-bats and scored on a single by Pat Kelly.

Witt (1-2) struck out two, walked two and gave up four hits in seven innings.

The Brewers lost a runner at the plate in the fourth. With runners at second and third, Marquis Grissom grounded to Gaetti at third base. Gaetti threw to first to retire Grissom, and McGwire threw home to get David Nilsson.

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