By MATT PIKE
Iván Herrera hit a two-run homer, José Fermín drove in three runs and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 on Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium closing out their final homestand of the season.
The Brewers still clinched the NL Central title, but they had to wait until the Chicago Cubs’ 1-0 loss at Cincinnati ended less than a half-hour later.
Herrera smashed a 419-foot home run over the left-field bullpen against Robert Gasser in the third inning that put the Cardinals up 2-0, scoring Victor Scott II. Gasser was called up from Triple-A to make his season debut as the Brewers placed Brandon Woodruff on the injured list with a lat strain.
"Oh, baby!"
Iván Herrera launches a 2-run bomb! 💣 pic.twitter.com/9gzjqqCQo1
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 21, 2025
In the fourth inning, Erick Fedde, pitching at Busch Stadium for the first time since the Cardinals dealt him to Atlanta in July, walked the first two batters he faced before allowing a two-run double by Fermín that stretched the lead to 4-0. Fermin also walked with the bases loaded in the eighth.
Fermín drives in 2⃣! pic.twitter.com/i0AYnz5XVB
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 21, 2025
Joey Ortiz tripled and scored on Jackson Chourio’s fifth-inning sacrifice fly for Milwaukee’s only run.
Matthew Liberatore earned the win, improving to 8-12 on the season, holding Milwaukee’s lineup in check, striking out six in five innings while allowing just one run. In four career starts against Milwaukee, Liberatore has allowed only two earned runs in 22 innings. Matt Svanson, Ryan Fernandez and Riley O’Brien combined for four scoreless innings of relief. St. Louis recorded only three hits, but also drew seven walks. Herrera was 1-for-2 with the home run and two RBI’s, also walking once. Fermin was 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI’s, also walking once.
Before the first pitch, Nolan Arenado was removed from the game and tipped his cap to a cheering crowd. The Cardinals attempted to trade Arenado during the offseason. He still has two years remaining on his contract.
Next, St. Louis begins a season-ending road trip first taking on San Francisco. Michael McGreevy (7-3, 4.08) is set to take the mound for the Cardinals against Justin Verlander (3-10, 3.75) for the Giants. First pitch is at 8:45pm, coverage will begin at 8:35 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.
