The Cardinals, struggling with runners in scoring position, can't afford miscues elsewhere but they erred both on the bases and the field Sunday in losing for the fourth time in their last five games.

First baseman Albert Pujols was out three times on the bases, although one of those wasn't a bad play; he drew a throw toward third as Adam Kennedy scored a run in the third on left fielder Chris Duncan's single. On another occasion, backup catcher Jason LaRue appeared to miss the hit-and-run sign as third baseman Troy Glaus was caught between first and second.

The defense gave up a run in the Milwaukee eighth when left fielder Chris Duncan was unable to catch up to shortstop J.J. Hardy's blooper near the line and, when Duncan's throw went to second, Hall dashed home to beat a throw to the plate from Kennedy, which was off target.

Right-hander Adam Wainwright, the club's ace, will pitch Monday's finale of a four-game series as the Cardinals attempt to gain a split of the series and of the eight-game trip. They have lost just one series all season, when they dropped two out of three at home to San Francisco.

BREWERS 5, CARDINALS 3: The Cardinals had eight baserunners in the first four innings as former St. Louis RHP Jeff Suppan walked five hitters. But they got only one run, losing three runners on the bases, in that span. RHP Braden Looper suffered only his second loss in seven decisions, surrendering two solo homers to LF Ryan Braun.

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