Cardinals lose a 3-2 heartbreaker to the Brewers on June 15, 2025, despite a quality start from Miles Mikolas and a homer from Iván Herrera. Read more.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those games that leaves a bitter taste. The St. Louis Cardinals had the pitching, they had the hits, but they just couldn't find the final piece of the puzzle, falling 3-2 to the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. Despite a gutsy quality start from Miles Mikolas and another long ball from the scorching-hot Iván Herrera, the Cards left too many runners on base, dropping a frustrating contest at American Family Field.
He's just seeing the ball incredibly well. Iván Herrera went 2-for-3, launched his 8th homer of the season, and pushed his batting average to a stellar .312.
Miles Mikolas did everything you could ask of a starter. He navigated the potent Brewers lineup for seven solid innings, allowing just three runs in a quality start. He was efficient, competitive, and deserved a better fate. The damage came from old foe Christian Yelich, who went 3-for-4 with a homer, and the decisive blow was a go-ahead RBI from Drew Avans in the seventh inning that sealed the deal. It was a tough-luck loss for Mikolas, who has been a steadying force in the rotation.
If there's one undeniable bright spot, it's the emergence of Iván Herrera as a legitimate offensive force. The catcher was the team's best hitter on Sunday, going 2-for-3 and crushing a solo shot for his 8th home run of the year. Along with Nolan Gorman, who also chipped in with a multi-hit game, Herrera provided the bulk of the offense. His consistent, high-level production is becoming a cornerstone of this lineup, making him one of the most exciting players to watch day in and day out.
After the game, a frustrated but not defeated Oliver Marmol focused on the positives. 'Miles gave us a great chance to win,' the manager noted, praising his starter's seven-inning effort. He also highlighted Nolan Arenado's competitive at-bat in the ninth inning as a sign of the team's fight, even though the comeback ultimately fell short. While moral victories don't count in the standings, Marmol's emphasis on the team's resilience suggests the clubhouse isn't panicking, but they know they need to execute better when it matters most.
This loss stings because it was winnable. The Cardinals had the pitching and the hits but couldn't deliver the knockout punch. Moving forward, the formula is clear: continue getting quality starts from the rotation and find a way to manufacture runs when opportunities arise. With Herrera swinging a hot bat and the pitching holding its own, the Cards are just a few clutch hits away from turning these tight losses into crucial wins.
