Brewers clinch playoff spot with sweep of Cards

1:24 AM ET

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS — Fortunately for the Milwaukee Brewers, they didn’t slip up.

The Brewers clinched their first playoff spot since 2011 by ensuring at least a spot in the NL wild-card game. They were helped Wednesday night when a rookie St. Louis pinch runner suddenly fell on his way to the plate in a 2-1 win over the contending Cardinals.

“I saw him go down and luckily we were able to put a tag on him and get him out,” Brewers reliever Josh Hader said. “I’ve never seen that before, but it was definitely good on our side.”

The Brewers (92-67) remained a half-game behind the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs. Milwaukee’s win also sealed a postseason berth for the Cubs.

Milwaukee began the day 3 ½ games ahead of Colorado for the top wild-card slot. St. Louis (87-71) entered a half-game behind the Rockies for the second wild-card berth.

The Cardinals missed a big chance to tie it in the eighth inning. Matt Carpenter drew a two-out walk and was lifted for pinch runner Adolis Garcia. Jose Martinez then hit a slow roller to third baseman Mike Moustakas, who threw wildly to