Stephenson Leads Cards Past Bucs

Garrett Stephenson turned in his best outing of the year, and the Cardinals salvaged the final game of their series with the Pirates, winning 5-0. Stephenson got some help from the powerful Cardinal offense. Mark McGwire and Jim Edmonds each homered for the tenth time this season. Ray Lankford also went deep for St. Louis, and Stephenson made it stand up with 7 and 2/3 shutout innings, allowing just three hits. The schedule gets tougher for the Redbirds now. The first place Cardinals open a three-game series in Cincinnati against the 2nd place Reds tonight. Then, after not facing a team over.500 in April, the Cards will play twelve games against such teams in May: the Giants, Dodgers, Mets, and Diamondbacks. Andy Benes starts for the Cards tonight against Ron Villone.