MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning and St. Louis posted a 5-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. That ends the Cardinals' season-long three-game skid.

Prince Fielder hit a tying homer in the eighth inning for Milwaukee. Ben Sheets set a franchise record for strikeouts with 1,086. Still, the slumping Brewers lost for the seventh time in eight games.

Eric Gagne fell to 1-and-2. He gave up consecutive singles to start the ninth. After a groundout and intentional walk and an out, Ludwick grounded a single just past shortstop J.J. Hardy to give St. Louis a 5-3 lead.

Ryan Franklin, who took over the closer's role from struggling Jason Isringhausen, got three outs for his third career save and second this year.

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