The Cardinals wrapped up a four-game series with the Pirates yesterday with a 4-3 win in Pittsburgh. Later in the afternoon, the Cubs topped the Astros 7-1 to put St. Louis and Houston in a two-way tie for first in the National League Central, with Chicago just a half-game back. Albert Pujols singled in the first inning to keep his hitting streak alive at 28 games. Later in the inning Scott Rolen drove him in to make it 1-0. Bo Hart, Garrett Stephenson and Tino Martinez also drove in runs. Martinez hit his 12th homer of the year to make it 4-1 in the sixth inning. Stephenson lasted eight innings, allowing one run off five hits and got his second straight win; he’s 7-11 on the season. Jason Isringhausen allowed two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but worked out of the jam to earn his 13th save. Albert Pujols will plead his case in a scuffle he had with the Padres on July 12th. He was initially suspended two games, but hasn’t served it yet. The Redbirds begin a three-game series in Philadelphia tonight.
;
