I saw an interesting stat.  Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright gave up six runs total in the month of July.  He then repeated that feat in the month of August. Friday night, in his first September start, Wainwright gave up six runs in one inning.

Wainwright was spotted a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth in the opening game of this weekend series against Pittsburgh as the Cardinals jumped on Pirate starter Kevin Hart early. Hart gave up home runs to Matt Holliday (22nd) and Ryan Ludwick (20th). However, Pittsburgh came roaring back to score six and take a one run lead.

That however was quickly erased when Albert Pujols hit his 43rd home run, a three run, two out shot to put the Cardinals back up 8-6. Wainwright would be done after the fifth inning, but picked up his 17th win.

The Cardinals magic number to clinch the division is 17 following another Cubs’ loss. St. Louis and the Dodgers are tied with the best NL record with 80 wins.