Grieving Cardinals dealt fourth consecutive loss

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals have shown there are many ways to honor Darryl Kile. One of them is to win more games.

"As DK put it, we've got work to do," reliever Mike Timlin said. "It may sound cold, but this is what we do."

The Cardinals, struggling to stay focused, managed only four hits and lost their fourth in a row Tuesday night, 2-0 to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Several Cardinals wept openly during a memorial service that began with 57 seconds of silence -- Kile's uniform number -- and a video tribute before the team's first home game since the pitcher died Saturday in Chicago.

Between innings, Kile's career highlights and accomplishments were listed on the video board. Kile's jersey hung in the dugout tunnel leading to the clubhouse. That made it tough to concentrate.

"Every half-inning they played something for DK," reliever Steve Kline said. "You watch it and it just hits you again."

After the game, pitcher Matt Morris issued a brief statement instead of taking questions.

"We're all still in shock over Darryl," Morris said.

But manager Tony La Russa wanted no part of excuses.

"I'm not going to be discussing stuff like that because it'll be a subject every day and it's counterproductive," La Russa said. "Everybody knows how we feel about Darryl.

"I think the game speaks for itself, 2-zip and in the end, what we do for a living, that's the measure."

Team personnel wore small black, circular patches with Kile's initials and number, "DK57," on their left sleeve. They were already wearing a patch to commemorate the death of longtime broadcaster Jack Buck, who died four days before Kile, on their right sleeve. Larger versions of the patches were placed on the right-field wall and behind home plate.

The Brewers will participate in a memorial service for Kile today at Busch Stadium.

"I'm glad I'm here," manager Jerry Royster said. "It amazes me how the baseball fans in St. Louis handle situations like this."

Morris (10-5) allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings, striking out six and walking two.

In the early portion of the game Morris threw a lot of curveballs, perhaps a tribute to Kile. That was his signature pitch.

The Cardinals have been outscored 15-6 during the losing streak, which began on the day of a Busch Stadium visitation and memorial service for Buck last Thursday. They lost that game 3-2 to the Anaheim Angels and also lost 8-3 at Chicago on Sunday, the day after Kile died of apparent natural causes.

Glendon Rusch (5-5) retired 13 batters in a row at one point as the Brewers snapped a six-game road losing streak. He pitched his second career shutout, with his other one coming June 14, 1998, while with Kansas City.

Rusch faced the Cardinals for the third time this season and got his first decision, striking out three and walking none.

"It was a difficult night, knowing what everybody over there is going through and knowing that against Morris, you're not going to get too many runs," Rusch said. "My heart goes out to DK's family."

Tyler Houston doubled in the Milwaukee fifth and Alex Ochoa singled, setting up RBI singles by Jose Hernandez and Paul Bako.

Morris fell to 6-2 for his career against the Brewers, with a 2.08 ERA. He had won his previous three starts.

Notes: Despite losing their last two at home, the Cardinals have won 15 of their last 20 at Busch Stadium. ... Jim Edmonds, who had been 9-for-21 against Rusch, was 0-for-3. ... Houston, who doubled in the ninth, is 23-for-38 (.605) during a career-best 10-game hitting streak. ... Placido Polanco was 0-for-4 for the Cardinals, ending a 13-game hitting streak.