St. Louis’ Martinez in full command

Right-hander allows four hits

ST. LOUIS – This was a different Carlos Martinez.

When the Milwaukee Brewers faced the hardthrowing St. Louis righthander at Miller Park on April 20, they delivered two big bolts against him – a three-run homer by Travis Shaw and two-run shot by Eric Thames – en route to a 7-5 victory.

Martinez showed up with much better stuff Tuesday night at Busch Stadium and it was evident immediately that the Brewers had their hands full. He put down the first 12 hitters in order, recording eight outs on grounders by filling the bottom of the strike zone.

Before he was done, Martinez shackled the Brewers on four hits over 7 13⁄ innings with an unearned run as St. Louis drew even in the series with a 2-1 victory. He finally picked up his first victory since signing a five-year, $51-million contract extension before the season.

The loss was absorbed by Brewers right-hander Wily Peralta, whose stuff would have been good enough to win on many nights. Peralta went 51⁄3 innings, allowing five hits and two runs with a pair of walks and seven strikeouts.

Peralta matched zeroes with Martinez for five innings.

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE

Leftfielder Ryan Braun remained out of the starting lineup with the right trapezius/arm issues that forced him from the game Sunday against Atlanta. “He has improved,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s going to do a little more today; take some swings inside. So, we’re making progress.” Minimum disabled list time was reduced from 15 days to 10 this season, but Counsell said “we haven’t discussed that” with Braun, who pinch hit in the ninth but struck out swinging.

Brewers reserve first baseman Jesús Aguilar snapped out of a long slump with a pinch-hit single in the eighth. He had been 0 for 21, dating to his last hit April 11. STAT SHEET

The Brewers had been having no luck retiring Cardinals third baseman Jedd Gyorko. In his first four games against them, Gyorko was 10 for 16 (.625) with two doubles, a triple, three homers, four RBI and six runs scored. His OPS was a ridiculous 2.104. But they finally put him under wraps, holding him hitless. TAKEAWAY

It was evident that runs were going to be at a premium the way Martinez and Peralta were throwing the ball. Counsell gambled that Barnes might come through with a strikeout of Molina, but his sacrifice fly opened the door for the two runs that decided the game.

RECORD

This year: 14-14 (7-10 home; 7-4 away)

Last year: 11-17 NEXT GAME

Wednesday: Brewers at Cardinals, 7:15 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Chase Anderson (2-0, 2.10) vs. St. Louis RHP Adam Wainwright (2-3, 6.12). TV: FS Wisconsin. Radio: AM-620.