The Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich, left, scores past Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina during the sixth inning Tuesday in St. Louis. (AP photo)

ST. LOUIS — Dexter Fowler hit a bases-loaded double and drove in four runs, leading the St. Louis Cardinals past the Milwaukee Brewers 9-4 on Tuesday night in the second game of the series between NL Central contenders.

Tyler Webb (1-1) earned his first major-league victory with one-third inning of work in his 79th career game. He struck out pitch-hitter Ben Gamel.

The Cardinals have won nine of their last 11 games, while the Brewers have lost six of eight.

St. Louis remained in first place by a half-game over the Chicago Cubs, who beat San Francisco 5-3. Third-place Milwaukee is four games back.

St. Louis broke the game open with a four-run sixth against three Milwaukee relievers. Jeremy Jeffress (3-4) loaded the bases. Alex Claudio came in and struck out Kolten Wong. Junior Guerra entered and walked Harrison Bader, who was recalled earlier in the day. After striking out pinch-hitter Matt Carpenter, Fowler hit a 3-2 pitch into short left field that fell between three Brewers for a double and a 5-2 lead.

Milwaukee went ahead 2-1 in the sixth. A two-out, run-scoring single by Eric Thames. Reliever John Gant allowed back-to-back singles by Hernan Perez and Orlando Arcia for the second run before giving way to Webb.