Woody Williams (13-9) went seven innings, allowing just a run on three hits to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to an easy 9-1 win over host Pittsburgh in the opener of a four-game series. St. Louis has now won seven straight and opened up a 2 1/2 game lead in the race for the National League wildcard birth. Mark McGwire hit his 25th home run in the win for the Redbirds.