Chris Narveson matched the longest start of his career with eight scoreless innings and Ryan Braun belted a two-run homer as the Milwaukee Brewers inched closer to first place in the National League Central with an 8-0 victory over the visiting St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

Tony La Russa became the second skipper in history to reach 5,000 career games in the loss. He has managed the most games in the history of the St. Louis franchise (2,494) and owns a career record of 2,676-2,320-4 after Friday’s setback.

Corey Hart hit a solo blast and Rickie Weeks doubled in a pair for the Brewers, who will move into first place in the division if they can sweep the three-game series.

Narveson (3-4) allowed six hits and struck out six while walking one to snap a four-start winless streak. The 29-year-old lefthander had completed eight innings once before on June 27, 2010 against the Seattle Mariners.

Kyle Lohse (7-3) lasted just five innings - his shortest start of 2011.

Braun’s blast to deep center off Lohse was his second in the last 24 games. He blasted 12 through the first 40 contests.