Mikolas’ bat does the damage against Brewers

CARDINALS 8, BREWERS 4

MILWAUKEE — Miles Mikolas won in his first big league game after a three-year stint in Japan, but left his biggest impression at the plate.

Hitting a home run to help spoil the Milwaukee Brewers’ home opener sure was special for the St. Louis Cardinals right-hander.

Paul DeJong connected for the second consecutive game, hitting his third home run this season, and Mikolas collected his first big league hit with a two-run homer in the Cardinals’ 8-4 victory on Monday.

Mikolas (1-0) gave up a two-run home run to Eric Thames and solo shots to Lorenzo Cain and Manny Pina. But the 29-year-old righthander benefited from the Cardinals’ own outburst at hitter-friendly Miller Park.

“I guess I figured if I’m going to give up some home runs, I might as well try to get one back, help my cause a little bit,” Mikolas joked.

It was a memorable return to the majors for Mikolas, and a disappointing opener for the Brewers. They lost for first time after opening the season with a three-game sweep at San Diego.

“Any pitcher home run, pitcher RBI, it always feels tough to come back from that,” manager Craig Counsell said.

Mikolas gave up seven hits and four runs in 52/3 innings in his first big league start since Aug. 25, 2014, when he pitched eight innings for the Texas Rangers in a 2-0 victory over Seattle.

He played 37 games for San Diego and Texas in 2012-14. He was 4-6 on the mound and 0 for 4 at the plate.