Another impressive start for Sabathia

ST. LOUIS -- CC Sabathia went nine innings for the third consecutive time for his new team, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 3-0, on Wednesday night.

“He’s got unbelievable stuff,” catcher Jason Kendall said. “That’s a good team over there, but when you’re on, it doesn’t matter who’s hitting.”

Ryan Braun had four hits, lacking a double for the cycle, and J.J. Hardy hit his 14th homer for the Brewers, who have won seven in a row.

The Brewers have homered in 19 straight games, tying the franchise record set in 1996, and have 30 home runs in that stretch.

Sabathia (4-0) followed up a four-hitter over Cincinnati and an eight-hitter over San Francisco with another gem, matching his career best for hits given up with his third career three-hitter and 22nd complete game. Sabathia has won all four starts since the Brewers acquired the 2007 AL Cy Young winner from Cleveland.

Sabathia is the first Brewer to throw three straight complete games since Cal Eldred had four in a row in 1994.

“You feel good if you can get CC one or two [runs],” Manager Ned Yost said. “Just give him a little bit of breathing room and work from there, it’s a good thing.”