ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — Nolan Arenado’s three-run double keyed a five-run fifth inning for St. Louis, and Sonny Gray delivered a strong six-inning start as the Cardinals snapped Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak with a 7-1 victory over the Brewers on Friday night.

A crowd of 29,752 at Busch Stadium watched the Cardinals improve to 75-79, while the National League Central champion Brewers fell to 94-60.

Gray (14-8) earned the win, allowing one run on nine hits while striking out seven and walking none. He worked efficiently to strand multiple Brewers baserunners, helping St. Louis win for the third time in five games.

Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski (5-3) took the loss, surrendering two runs on five hits with three walks in 3 2/3 innings.

The Cardinals took an early lead, scoring once in each of the first two innings. In the first, Lars Nootbaar singled home Brendan Donovan, though Nootbaar was thrown out at second trying to extend the hit. St. Louis added another run in the second when Thomas Saggese scored on a double play grounder by Jordan Walker.

Milwaukee’s lone run came in the third on a solo home run to right field by Sal Frelick, his 12th of the season.

The game remained close until the Cardinals broke it open in the fifth. Singles by Donovan, Iván Herrera and Alec Burleson loaded the bases with no outs. Arenado then cleared them with a sharp line drive double to left field, which was compounded by a throwing error from second baseman Brice Turang that allowed Arenado to advance to third. Saggese followed with an RBI ground-rule double, and Walker added a run-scoring single to cap the five-run outburst.

The Brewers collected 12 hits but went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. St. Louis pitchers consistently worked out of trouble, with Gordon Graceffo providing two scoreless innings of relief and Ryan Fernandez adding a scoreless ninth.

Burleson led the Cardinals’ 14-hit attack, going 3 for 4 with a double. Walker added two hits and two RBIs.

The result was an upset according to pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 5-3 Brewers victory, and its ELO system gave Milwaukee a 65.3% probability to win. The combined eight runs went under the over/under line of 7.5.

The two teams continue their three-game series on Saturday.