Cardinals keep heat on fading Brewers

MILWAUKEE -- The way things are going for the Milwaukee Brewers right now, even Yadier Molina is a power hitter against them.

Molina hit two home runs and the Cardinals beat the Brewers, 8-0, on Thursday, completing a three-game sweep and closing to within 2 1/2 games of the National League Central lead for the first time since April 20.

“I’m excited, because we want to have some of that contention fun over the last six weeks,” Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa said. “And this gives us a better chance to have that fun.”

It was the first multi-homer game of Molina’s career, who entered Thursday’s game with one home run this season.

Pitcher Adam Wainwright threw seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball, including a baffling curveball to Brewers rookie sensation Ryan Braun that ended a bases-loaded jam in the third inning.