Cardinals top Brewers 4-2 on June 12, 2025, as Nolan Arenado's homer spoils Christian Yelich's return. Sonny Gray outduels Jacob Misiorowski for the win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of mixed emotions at American Family Field. The sight of Christian Yelich back in the leadoff spot brought a wave of optimism, but that high was short-lived as the St. Louis Cardinals and their ace, Sonny Gray, played spoiler, handing the Brewers a tough 4-2 loss to kick off a crucial four-game set.
William Contreras accounted for every single Brewers run, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs in a lone bright spot for the offense.
The matchup on the mound promised a duel, and it delivered, though not in the Crew's favor. Young flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski battled hard for 5.2 innings, striking out seven, but a sixth-inning mistake to Nolan Arenado proved fatal. The Cardinals' third baseman launched a two-run homer that broke a 1-1 tie and gave St. Louis a lead they wouldn't relinquish. On the other side, Sonny Gray was simply masterful, improving to 8-1 by holding the Brewers to just one run over six innings. The Brewers' only offense came from the hot bat of catcher William Contreras, who drove in both Milwaukee runs—one on a third-inning double and another on an eighth-inning sac fly. A late rally attempt fizzled out, with closer Ryan Helsley shutting the door for his 20th save.
Despite the loss, seeing Christian Yelich back in left field and atop the lineup card was a major positive. Returning from a nagging wrist injury, Yelich wasted little time getting involved, singling and scoring the Brewers' first run. He finished the night 1-for-4, and while it wasn't a game-breaking performance, his presence alone lengthens the lineup and adds a psychological boost. Manager Pat Murphy's decision to slot him right back into the action shows how vital the former MVP is to the team's success, and fans will be hoping his bat heats up as the series progresses.
More good news is on the horizon for the Brewers. Manager Pat Murphy announced that center fielder Garrett Mitchell, out with an oblique strain, is slated to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville around June 20. His return would provide another jolt to the lineup. Further down the pipeline, the excitement is building around shortstop prospect Edgardo Made. Currently ranked No. 55 in baseball, Made is turning heads in the minors, and the organization is taking an aggressive development path with him, mirroring the fast track that brought Jackson Chourio to the bigs. The mentorship from Chourio himself is seen as a key part of his rapid development, offering a glimpse of a dynamic future for the Brewers' infield.
One game doesn't make a series, but this loss stings. The Brewers will need to find a way to generate more offense beyond William Contreras if they hope to even the series against their division rivals. With three games left against the Cardinals at home, Milwaukee has a prime opportunity to bounce back and prove that Thursday's offensive outage was just a blip on the radar. Let's see if the bats can wake up tomorrow.
