ST. LOUIS (AP) — Iván Herrera hit a two-run homer, José Fermín drove in three runs and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 on Sunday.
The Brewers still clinched the NL Central title, but they had to wait until the Chicago Cubs’ 1-0 loss at Cincinnati ended less than a half-hour later.
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Milwaukee Brewers' Joey Ortiz hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) salutes the crowd as he leaves the field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
St. Louis Cardinals' Ivan Herrera (48) reacts with Alec Burleson (41) after hitting a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
Matthew Liberatore (8-12) held Milwaukee’s lineup in check, striking out six in five innings while allowing just one run. Matt Svanson, Ryan Fernandez and Riley O’Brien combined for four scoreless innings of relief.
Herrera smashed a 419-foot home run over the left-field bullpen against Robert Gasser (0-1) in the third inning. Gasser was called up from Triple-A to make his season debut as the Brewers placed Brandon Woodruff on the injured list with a lat strain.
St. Louis recorded only three hits, but also drew seven walks.
Erick Fedde, pitching at Busch Stadium for the first time since the Cardinals dealt him to Atlanta in July, walked the first two batters he faced before allowing a two-run double by Fermín that stretched the lead to 4-0.
Fermin also walked with the bases loaded in the eighth.
Joey Ortiz tripled and scored on Jackson Chourio’s fifth-inning sacrifice fly for Milwaukee’s only run.
Milwaukee played without William Contreras, who left Saturday night’s game after his hand was hit by a bat on a catcher’s interference call.
Christian Yelich and Brice Turang also didn’t start, although both pinch hit in the late innings.
Before the first pitch, Nolan Arenado was removed from the game and tipped his cap to a cheering crowd. The Cardinals attempted to trade Arenado during the offseason. He still has two years remaining on his contract.
In four career starts against Milwaukee, Liberatore has allowed only two earned runs in 22 innings.
Milwaukee RHP Freddy Peralta (17-6, 2.65 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series at San Diego, which had not announced its starter.
The Cardinals begin a season-ending road trip Monday night with RHP Michael McGreevy (7-3, 4.08) facing San Francisco RHP Justin Verlander (3-10, 3.75).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Milwaukee Brewers' Joey Ortiz hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) salutes the crowd as he leaves the field during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
St. Louis Cardinals' Ivan Herrera (48) reacts with Alec Burleson (41) after hitting a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Le)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles need a new offensive coordinator.
Ask most fans, commentators — and, privately, some players — and the change from Kevin Patullo was inevitable long before Philadelphia actually made the move this week in the wake of a playoff loss.
There's a “help wanted” sign for the new boss of an offense — one loaded with elite talent such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — that fell way short as the Eagles failed in their bid to win consecutive Super Bowl titles.
Coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman were vague on details Thursday about why they waited until the end of the season to make the move — the Eagles ranked 24th in yards per game (311) and 19th in points per game (19.3) — and less clear on what they wanted out of a new coordinator.
“You’re looking to continue to evolve as an offense, and I’m looking to bring in the guy that’s going to best help us do that,” Sirianni said. “I think that there are many different ways to be successful on offense and everybody has different styles, everybody has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful.”
The Eagles have plenty of credible candidates to choose from — everyone from Josh McCown and Cam Turner to former NFL coaches Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury. The new OC could have complete autonomy to run the offense, though collaboration has been key under Sirianni.
No matter the coordinator, the Eagles expect to be contenders again after playing in two of the last four Super Bowls. Just winning an NFC East title doesn't cut it these days in Philly.
“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our heads, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know that we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl.”
Two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson has built a Hall of Fame-level career and won two Super Bowls since the Eagles made him a 2013 first-round pick.
Retirement talk was a hot topic for most of the season.
Johnson turns 36 in May and did not play after Week 11 because of a foot injury. He did not talk to the media this week when the Eagles cleaned out their lockers.
Roseman kept private his conversation with Johnson about retirement. Johnson reworked his contract last May and is signed through 2027.
“You're talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level,” Roseman said.
Brown is likely staying put.
While he isn't shy about airing his grievances, the wide receiver is often worth the distractions because of his production.
Just not this season.
Brown had 78 receptions (down from 106 in 2023) for 1,003 yards (he had 1,496 in 2022) and only five 100-yard games. Of course, some of that dip in production resulted from how he was used in Patullo's offense. The changes ahead are one reason why the Eagles are in no rush to give up on the 28-year star — along with the $43 million dead salary cap hit they'd take if Brown wasn't on the roster.
“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency and in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. I think that would be my answer.”
Special teams coach Michael Clay had a virtual interview Thursday for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sirianni also hasn't ruled out Patullo staying on the staff in a different role.
“I know Kevin’s going to have other opportunities, and obviously always want what’s best for Kevin and for his family, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Sirianni said.
Patullo could want a fresh start after his house was egged earlier this season and one area indoor golf establishment let fans hit golf balls into a photo of his face after the playoff loss.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, looks over as head coach Nick Sirianni, right, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, right, and executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
