Corbin Burnes continued his recent mastery of the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing the Milwaukee Brewers to overtake their division rivals for first place in the NL Central.

Burnes pitched seven dominant innings and Tyrone Taylor hit a two-run homer in the Brewers’ 2-0 victory over the Cardinals on Monday night. The Brewers and Cardinals were tied for the division lead as they began this four-game series.

The Brewers have followed an eight-game skid by winning six of eight.

Burnes (5-4) struck out 10 and allowed just two hits and two walks as he delivered an ace-caliber performance to help a staff that’s at far less than full strength with Brandon Woodruff, Freddy Peralta and Aaron Ashby on the injured list.

The only two hits he allowed Monday came from Juan Yepez, who had a two-out double in the second inning and a two-out single in the seventh.

Devin Williams retired the side in order in the eighth and Josh Hader worked the ninth for his 20th save in 21 opportunities.

The Cardinals finished with three hits.

Brendan Donovan beat out an infield single to start the ninth but was thrown out attempting to reach second on a pitch that got away. Donovan was tagged on the heel by Brewers second baseman Luis Urias before sliding into the base.

Mikolas (5-5) lasted 6 1/3 innings and allowed those two runs plus four hits while striking out three and walking two.

UP NEXT

The series continues Tuesday as RHP Jack Flaherty (0-0, 6.00 ERA) starts for the Cardinals and RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (0-0, 7.71) makes his Brewers debut. Game time is at 7:10 p.m. in Milwaukee.