The Cardinals were virtually unstoppable at the plate last night, belting out a season-high 18 hits in a 9-5 win over the Pirates. Edgar Renteria, Jim Edmonds, Albert Pujols, Mike Matheny, and Scott Rolen all had three hits. Rolen drove in three runs. On the mound, Matt Morris went eight innings, allowing one run off six hits. Morris is now 14-7. In the ninth, disaster almost struck as the bullpen allowed four runs. Jason Isringhausen got the final out and was credited with his 27th save of the season. The Cardinals now own a three-game lead in the National League Central as a result of their fourth win in a row. The Astros moved into 2nd place with a win over the Cubs. The Reds loss to the Diamondbacks dropped them into third, they trail the Cardinals by three and a half.
