Brewers Take Game 1 in Series With Cardinals

It was a true team effort for the Milwaukee Brewers last night.

Casey McGehee doubled in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning, and Milwaukee widened its lead atop the NL Central with a 5-3 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Yuniesky Betancourt hit an insurance sacrifice fly for the Brewers, who have won five straight and 12 of their last 13 contests. They are now four games in front of the second-place Cardinals. Corey Hart belted a two-run homer for the visitors from Milwaukee.

David Freese had two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals, who missed a chance to possibly grab the opener of this three-game series. In the ninth, Rafael Furcal singled to center with two outs off LaTroy Hawkins (1-0). Daniel Descalso then hit a bouncer to second base, but Betancourt booted the ball, as Furcal moved into scoring position. Albert Pujols couldn't come through as he flied out to right.

Nyjer Morgan singled leading off the 10th against Octavio Dotel (0-1), and Prince Fielder's base hit to center put runners at the corners with one out. McGehee then double to right and Betancourt's fly ball to center made it a two-run cushion.

John Axford notched his 33rd save of the year by working around a Lance Berkman one-out double.