The magic number is 3. On the same day the Houston Astros fired Cecil Cooper, the Cardinals came out fired up scoring six runs in the first three innings off Houston starter Wandy Rodriquez as the Cardinals win 7-3.
It was a huge night for Mark DeRosa who doubled in two runs in the first inning, then hit solo home runs in the third and sixth. DeRosa finished 3 for 4 with four RBIs. Skip Schumaker had three hits, while Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, and Jason LaRue all had two hits apiece.
Kyle Loshe made the start and despite giving up two solo home runs, he was able to go six innings and pick up his 6 th win of the year. The Cubs won at Milwaukee, but at this point, the Cardinals are not going to need any help from the Cubs. At some point during this nine game road trip, the Cardinals will clinch the Central Division and it could still happen in Houston.