MILWAUKEE, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Ryan Braun played a key role in two big early innings Wednesday that sent the Milwaukee Brewers rolling to an 8-1 win over St. Louis.

The Cardinals have dropped 11 of their last 15 games and came into the game trailing the first-place Cincinnati Reds by six games in the National League Central.

Braun had an RBI single in the third and scored along with Prince Fielder on a base hit by Casey McGehee. Braun then hit a three-run homer during a four-run fourth. It was his 20th home run of the season.

The lone St. Louis run came on a homer by Albert Pujols in the first, his 36th of the campaign.

Chris Capuano (3-3) surrendered a run on four hits over seven innings to get the win. Milwaukee has captured three out of four.

Jaime Garcia (13-7) allowed a career-worst seven runs on seven hits over four innings. He had won his previous three starts.

Milwaukee won the season series with St. Louis 8-7.