Cardinals Drop Six Back With Loss

Rookie righthander Brian Lawrence allowed just two runs on four hits in 8 2/3 strong innings to pick up the win as the San Diego Padres beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 last night. Lawrence outdueled Darryl Kile who was not sharp. Kile (13-9) allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings to take the loss. San Diego snaps an 11-game losing streak to the Cardinals with this victory and the los proves costly to St. Louis. The Astros 6-4 win over Cincinnati drops the Cardinals six games off the pace in the National League Central.