Blooper snaps Cardinals' losing streak

MILWAUKEE -- Allen Craig hit a bloop RBI single off Brewers closer John Axford to help rally the St. Louis Cardinals past the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 on Monday night.

Milwaukee was leading 2-0 going into the ninth, but Axford struggled with his control. He eventually loaded the bases with two outs and gave up a game-tying two-run single to Matt Holliday.

Axford (2-6) then was lifted after giving up the single to Craig, which dropped softly into shallow left field.

Axford walked off the field to a steady stream of boos from the crowd.

Axford's sloppy inning wasted another strong performance by Brewers starter Mike Fiers, who pitched seven scoreless innings.

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina breaks his bat as he grounds out during the first inning Monday in Milwaukee. The Cardinals rallied to win 3-2. (JEFFREY PHELPS ~ Associated Press)

Jason Motte (4-3) claimed the win.

St. Louis had lost three straight coming into Monday's game after getting swept by Cincinnati.

Corey Hart hit a solo home run for the Brewers, his 17th of the season. Ryan Braun added an RBI double in the eighth.

Monday's loss was another setback for the Brewers, who announced earlier in the day that ace Zack Greinke will skip his scheduled start Wednesday and isn't scheduled to start again until the Brewers' July 24 game at Philadelphia.

The Cardinals had a scoring chance in the fourth when Yadier Molina hit a one-out double and David Freese walked. But Fiers got Matt Carpenter to fly out to center, which allowed Molina to take third base, then got Daniel Descalso to ground out to end the inning.

Milwaukee had a chance with two outs in the fifth when a sharp grounder by Cody Ransom glanced off the glove of Freese at third base, which allowed Ransom to take second base on a play that was ruled a double. But Descalso charged a soft grounder by Fiers and threw him out to end the inning.

Descalso led off the seventh with a single, and Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn remained in the game to hit. Lynn put two bunt attempts foul then struck out on another bunt attempt. Rafael Furcal hit a grounder back to Fiers, who bobbled the ball but recovered in time to throw out Furcal at first as Descalso took second.

Fiers then got Skip Schumaker to line out to end the inning.

Francisco Rodriguez relieved Fiers in the eighth and gave up a leadoff single to Holliday but didn't allow a run.