Jon Jay went 4 for 4 and drove in two runs, Matt Carpenter added a two-run, bases-loaded single and Carlos Beltran hit his 26th homer of the season as the Cardinals won their fourth in a row, seventh in a row at home, and beat the San Francisco Giants 8-2.
Jake Westbrook (11-8) won his fourth decision in a row, giving up seven hits and two runs. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Westbrook has gone at least six innings in his last 11 starts.
The Cardinals beat Matt Cain (10-5), who tied a season high by giving up five earned runs in 5.2 innings. The NL All-Star starter took back-to-back losses for the second time this season. Cain has allowed nine home runs in his last seven starts. Cain, who has allowed 28 earned runs and has a 4.40 ERA since throwing a perfect game on June 13.
Cincinnati lost, the Cardinals are six behind the Reds in the Central. Pittsburgh and Atlanta won, they’re both just 2.5 games ahead of the Cardinals in the Wild Card and remember, two teams make the Wild Card.