by By Joe Strauss jstrauss@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8371 , St. Louis Post-Dispatch

With the lead in hand, starting pitcher Todd Wellemeyer fumbled. The result was a 4-4 game that stretched to the eighth inning, where the Brewers manufactured a two-out rally capped by first baseman Prince Fielder's well-placed infield single to steal a 5-4 decision at Miller Park.

It is only early July, but Wednesday's loss may be neatly folded and tucked away for future reflection.

The Cardinals briefly had the chance to take their biggest lead since September 2006. Instead, they were reminded of Wellemeyer's inconsistencies and an offense's wasteful nature.

"There was a lot to that game," manager Tony La Russa said tersely, mindful that the Cardinals failed to score after the fourth inning despite four doubles with fewer than two outs. Speaking more directly about Wellemeyer, the manager said, "He needs to get a shutdown there or at least limit them."

Wellemeyer instead fed a three-run rally with a leadoff walk and a misplaced changeup that became rookie third baseman Matt Gamel's third home run this season. Down a run, the Brewers forced a tie with a single made worse by a two-base outfield error and Craig Counsell's first-pitch single on a too-high changeup.

Seven of the night's nine runs came within one frame that whipsawed the Cardinals high and low.

Technically, Wellemeyer received no decision. Reliever Jason Motte (3-3) took the loss after allowing a two-out single followed by consecutive walks of J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun.

With a defensive swing against Dennys Reyes, Fielder wedged his single to deep shortstop, leaving Brendan Ryan to attempt a miracle throw that strayed off line.

"He didn't shut them down," La Russa reiterated about the pivotal fourth. "He walked guys. He didn't get the ball where he was aiming. He made bad pitches. And he was capable. He made good pitches at different times in the game. It just got away form him that inning."

In the second inning, a bases-loaded walk gave the

Brewers their first run. Wellemeyer avoided a potentially huge rally in that frame. In all, 11 of 21 hitters reached against Wellemeyer, whose ERA rose to 5.58. He has allowed a frightful 170 runners in 100 innings this season and admittedly remains "a work in progress."

"I need to stay back" when delivering the ball, Wellemeyer said. "I was leaning forward a little too much."

Wellemeyer used 85 pitches to get 12 outs. He surrendered seven hits and walked four, contributing to a sluggish pace. Only one of Wellemeyer's past nine outings qualifies as a quality start.

Still, La Russa resisted any thought of an adjustment to the rotation.

"Show me who's better than he is. Where is there anybody better?" he demanded. "He's shown flashes of being the guy we need. There's nobody better than him pitching (in the organization). I mean nobody."

Pitching coach Dave Duncan remains a Wellemeyer backer, believing there are more starts ahead like the righthander's 7 1/3-inning outing against the San Francisco Giants on July 2.

"He's still working. He's better. Now it's about getting more consistent," Duncan said

The start-and-stop offense contributed to the loss. The Cardinals jumped former teammate Jeff Suppan for four fourth-inning runs thanks to Molina's first double, Ryan's two-run, two-out double to left field, and second baseman Skip Schumaker's two-out single.

The top five spots in the lineup finished three for 20, even with two hits from Schumaker. The Cardinals converted only two of seven walks into runs.

Trever Miller and Kyle McClellan held the game for three shutout innings before Motte's entrance.

With two outs Counsell doubled to right field. Hardy walked on a full count before Braun walked on four pitches to bring up the lefthanded-hitting Fielder. Summoned for the match-up, Reyes threw a two-strike pitch low and away that became Fielder's leg hit.

"It was a good piece of hitting; it just happened to find a hole," La Russa said.

"On the two walks I'm trying to make a good pitch to both of them," Motte said. "You don't want to leave one over the plate. I'm trying to make good pitches. It's just the way it went."

The ninth inning died after Skip Schumaker slipped a leadoff double past third base against Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman. Colby Rasmus struck out after attempting to bunt for a hit on a 2-0 count. Albert Pujols was intentionally walked before right fielder Ryan Ludwick fouled out. A walk of Chris Duncan loaded the bases before Molina, who doubled twice earlier, grounded to third base.

"How many chances did we have to add runs?" La Russa asked rhetorically. "They had chances. There was more than one inning."

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Up Next

1:05 p.m. at Brewers, FSM

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TODAY'S PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP ? Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 1:05 p.m., Miller Park

JOEL PI?EIRO RH - 6-9, 3.39

The sinkerballer's only two victories since the end of April are complete-game shutouts. Otherwise, he has not received the run support he deserves. Pi?eiro has a 3.26 ERA, 37 strikeouts and six walks in his past 12 starts, all masked by 2-9 record.

Manny Parra LH - 3-8, 7.52

Parra has not been officially announced as the starter for the Brewers but is one option after throwing seven scoreless innings for Class AAA affiliate last week. Parra went 0-4 in five starts before demotion.

- Derrick Goold

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