Allen Craig is tagged out at home plate in the seventh inning.  Mike Matheny challenged the call, but lost (photo/MLB)

Allen Craig is tagged out at home plate in the seventh inning. Mike Matheny challenged the call, but lost. (photo/MLB)

In his second start since returning from elbow tendonitis, Adam Wainwright turned in another eight inning, one run performance, just as he did on Saturday.  But it wasn’t good enough.  Justin Turner’s pinch hit RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning was the only run scored in the game as Wainwright lost a pitcher’s duel with Josh Beckett and the Los Angeles Dodgers, 1-0.

Opponents had hit just .201 against Beckett this season coming into Thursday night.  Cardinals’ batters managed just four hits off Beckett in seven innings while he walked two and struck out four. Beckett has a 1.34 ERA over his past seven starts, a stretch that began with his no-hitter in Philadelphia on May 25. His season ERA is 2.11 in 15 starts.

Juan Uribe led off the eighth with a single and advanced on a sacrifice bunt before rookie Miguel Rojas’ infield single put runners at the corners.  Turner, batting for reliever Brian Wilson, came through with his 20th RBI of the season.  Wainwright gave up just five hits and a walk while striking out seven.  Wainwright walked the lead-off hitter Dee Gordon, then retired 15 in a row before Rojas led off the sixth with a base hit.