Just last week, the Cardinals looked well on their way to clinching the National League Central title. Here we are today; seven straight losses and the Cardinals seem to be choking on their division lead. Things got even tighter in the race after St. Louis dropped a 7-5 decision to the Padres Tuesday.
San Diego used a four-run seventh inning, capped by Mike Cameron’s two-run double, to overcome a 5-2 deficit. The loss dropped the Cardinals lead to just 1.5 games over the second-place Astros.
Ronnie Belliard homered twice and had three RBI. Jim Edmonds homered in his first start since being sideline with post-concussion syndrome.
Woody Williams didn’t pitch exceptionally well allowing five runs – three earned – in six innings, but did enough to get the win. Trevor Hoffman struck out two batters in the ninth to get the save.
Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter surrendered six runs on 12 hits in seven innings for the loss.