The Cardinals won their fifth straight game with a 7-3 victory over the Pirates. Edgar Renteria’s two-run homer in the second inning gave St. Louis a 2-0 lead. It was his eighth homer. Albert Pujols also went yard for the 27th time this year. Tino Martinez scored twice, going 1-2. He’s hit in eight straight. Andy Benes got his second win of the season. He gave up two runs off two hits. Mike Crudale, Steve Kline and Jason Isringhausen worked an inning apiece to close it out. Crudale allowed a run off two hits, Kline and Isringhausen didn’t allow a base runner. The Cardinals remain three games ahead of the Astros and three and a half ahead of the Reds.
