Brewers 6, Cardinals 4: Norichika Aoki reached base four times and scored three runs as host Milwaukee salvaged the finale of the three-game series.

Scooter Gennett had an RBI double and joined Aoki with two hits as the Brewers reduced the Cardinals’ National League Central lead over Pittsburgh and Cincinnati to two games. St. Louis was assured of at least a wild-card spot earlier Sunday when Washington lost to Miami.

Wily Peralta (11-15) was charged with three runs on five hits and five walks in five-plus innings. Donovan Hand struck out three in two scoreless frames, Brandon Kintzler worked a perfect eighth and Jim Henderson allowed 12.00 a run-scoring single by Carlos Beltran in the ninth before striking out Matt Adams with two on for his 26th save in 30 opportunities.

The Brewers built a 4-0 lead in the first two innings against Cardinals starter Joe Kelly (9-5), who gave up six runs - three earned - and seven hits in seven frames. Matt Carpenter’s third-inning homer got St. Louis on the board, and back-to-back sacrifice flies by Shane Robinson and Kelly in the sixth made it a one-run game.

Aoki drew a one-out walk in the seventh and scored on Gennett’s double over the head of center fielder Jon Jay. Gennett came home later in the frame on a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Lucroy.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cardinals OF Matt Holliday (back) was scratched from the lineup. … Brewers SS Jean Segura (hamstring) missed his fourth straight game. … St. Louis committed a season-worst three errors, leading to three unearned runs.