Adam Wainwright was denied his 18th win of the season when he let Pittsburgh back into the game late as the Cardinals lose 4-3 to the Pirates.
St. Louis didn’t lose any ground in the Central Division Standings after the Reds were beat by San Francisco 16-5. The Cardinals still trail in the wild card by a game behind the Phillies and Giants.
Matt Holliday hit a two run homer in the first of Paul Maholm, but then didn’t muster much until the ninth inning when they really should have tied the game up. Jon Jay singled in the third run after the Cardinals led off the ninth with two singles and a sac bunt. Albert Pujols ripped a shot at third that trickled into the outfield, but not far enough to score Randy Winn who was held up at third. Winn was stranded as the Cardinals ended the game with two popups.
Wainwright gave up two runs in the sixth and seventh innings after holding the Pirates quiet for the first five innings. It was just Pittsburgh’s third win in the last twelve agains the Cardinals.
The official Missourinet Albert Pujols Triple Crown Watch. Pujols went 3 for 5, his average is now .322, just one point behind Joey Votto of the Reds. Pujols leads in homers and RBIs.