The Cardinals scored six runs in the second inning, rallying from an early deficit to beat the Colorado Rockies 11-4 Sunday at Busch Stadium before a crowd of 45,551 in a game delayed by more than 2½ hours by rain.

St. Louis Cardinals played the  Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium.  Photos by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Cardinals' Marcell Ozuna watches his two-run single during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals' Harrison Bader is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong (16) turns a double play over Colorado Rockies' Trevor Story during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong, center, is helped off the field by manager Mike Shildt, right, and a trainer after fouling a ball off of his foot during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

At this point, Milwaukee's disappointing record is irrelevant. A dearth of great teams in the NL has kept the Brewers in playoff contention.

Righthander has permitted two hits in last 12 2/3 innings over two starts.  Bader, Goldschmidt homer as Card stretch division lead to 1 1/2 games.  Wong in pain and on crutches after fouling ball off right big toe. 

Pitcher Cooper from 1940s champion Cardinals also is honored. 

'Big Bear' Ozuna gives Cardinals an early lead with a two-run homer, adds double and two runs scored in 8-3 victory.

Righthander has given up just one run in August streak

The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Colorado Rockies 8-3 at Busch Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. The win and a loss by the Cubs put the Cardinals back in first place in the National League Central Division. 

Marcel Ozuna, Paul DeJong and Dexter Fowler hit two-run homers as the St. Louis Cardinals came from behind night to beat the Colorado Rockies 6-5 at Busch Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019.

Since pulling within 1½ games of first place in the NL Central with a five-game winning streak, Milwaukee has dropped six of its last nine games while stranding 85 runners.

Check out these and other hot topics from Derrick Goold's weekly chat with Cardinals fans, including: How will Cards handle the Ozuna situation? Impact of Yadi not hustling? Who's to blame — the hitting coach or the hitters? Could STL beat out the Yankees for Gerrit Cole? 

ST. LOUIS —The Milwaukee Brewers were able board a plane and leave St. Louis a little earlier than expected.

The Cardinals managed to cut into Milwaukee’s early lead Wednesday night, but they didn’t get their final two at-bats due to rain and the game was called after 7 ½ innings, giving the Brewers a 5-3 win at Busch Stadium.

Before the Cardinals sent their opening day center fielder Harrison Bader back to Class AAA Memphis 23 days ago, manager Mike Shildt, executive John Mozeliak, and two coaches met in person with Bader to help him map a route back to the majors.