The Cardinals are fading fast after dropping their sixth in a row losing the opener of a three game series in Cincinnati by the final of 7-2.  It’s the third straight game St. Louis has given up seven runs.

Troy Glaus connected on his 24 th home run of the year in the second inning off Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Miles hit a solo shot in the fourth.  Braden Looper who was trying for his 13 th win in four starts retired 16 of the first 17 batters he faced, but things fell apart in the sixth inning when Looper got touched for three runs.  Looper had two outs around an Arroyo single, but then Looper gave up a single, walk, and then a three run double to Edwin Encarnacion.

The Reds added another run off Looper in the seventh and then provided enough insurance with three runs all charged to Kyle McClellan as the young pitcher has hit a wall in September.  His ERA in this final month is 12.79.

With the Cubs win over Milwaukee, the Cardinals were officially eliminated from a chance at winning the division.  While it looks bleak, the wild card is still an option.

Cardinal notes:  Rick Ankiel’s season is done.  He’s having surgery today to repair a sports hernia.  Chris Carpenter returned to St. Louis is scheduled for tests later this week to determine the severity of a nerve condition that has contributed to muscle weakness near his right shoulder.