Chris Duncan hit a three run homer in the first, his first in 28 games and Braden Looper goes 7 innings allowing just four hits, a walk and four strikeouts in the Cardinals 7-0 win over the Astros. 

The Cardinals climb into second place with the Brewers 5-3 loss to the Cubs last night.  So it’s Chicago, then the Cardinals 2 games out, Milwaukee in third place 2 ½ out. 

With the win, Tony LaRussa moves into a tie with Red Schoendienst for all time wins for a Cardinals manager.  He’s the third-winningest manager in baseball history (2,361 victories), and four-time manager of the year.