The Cardinals topped the Pirates 4-2 on Monday night, to win the series opener at Busch. Chris Carpenter lasted seven innings and allowed four hits, as St. Louis topped Pittsburgh for the 10th time in a row.
Carpenter and Pirate starter Dave Williams both took no hitters into the fifth inning. Williams gave himself the lead in the fifth with a sacrifice fly. The Cardinals took the leadin the sixth inning when Albert Pujols doubled off Williams to drove in Yadier Molina and Larry Walker, who scored from first base. Later in the inning, Pujols scored on an infield single by Reggie Sanders.
The Pirates cut the Cardinals lead down to 3-1 in the eighth inning when left fielder Jason Bay a solo homer, his ninth, off reliever Julian Tavarez. The Cards got that run back in the bottom of the eighth when Walker scored on a fielding error by Pittsburgh second baseman Rob Mackowiak.
Cardinal closer Jason Isringhausen worked around two hits in the ninth inning to earn his 12th save in 12 opportunities in 2005.
The victory also had historical significance. Manager Tony LaRussa tied Whitey Herzog on the Cardinals’ career win list with 822. LaRussa, who is in his 10th season with the club, accomplished the feat in his 1,501st game. Herzog did it in 1,550.
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