Cards Avoid Sweep With Win at Wrigley

The St. Louis Cardinals avoid a sweep of their series with the Chicago Cubs, winning 6-4 Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

The victory leaves the Redbirds 3 games behind Chicago in the National League Central Division race and sees them leaving the Windy City with a 4-2 mark on their 6-game road trip that also saw them sweep the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Home runs helped the Cards Monday as Albert Pujols belted his 28 ^th and Rick Ankiel hit his 4 ^th .  The Cubs got roundtrippers from Daryle Ward, Mark DeRosa, and Derrek Lee – all solo shots.

St. Louis starter Joel Pineiro (4-2) pitched 5 innings for the win, allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits. Jason Isringhausen pitched 2 scoreless innings for his 23 ^rd save. Ted Lilly (13-6) gave up 5 earned runs on 7 hits in 6 innings to take the loss.

The Cardinals (59-62) open a series with the Florida Marlins Tuesday night at Busch Stadium. Adam Wainwright (11-9) takes the mound for St. Louis against Florida’s Daniel Barone (0-1).