Cardinals Bats Pick Up Wainwright's Poor 5th, Cards Reach 80 Wins

Well, maybe Adam Wainwright won't win the Cy Young. Do you think he cares? Things were going splendidly through 4 and 1/2 innings for the Cardinals - the Birds had a 5-0 lead and Adam Wainwright was once again pitching very well. Then something happened that hadn't happened since June 21st - Wainwright gave up more than 2 runs in a game. An amazing run of 13 starts without giving up more than 2 runs was ended when Wainwright gave up a whopping 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th to the Pirates. The Pirates then led 6-5.

How would the team react? Would they pick up their 16 game winning pitcher? Of course they would. Albert Pujols delivered a three-run home run off Denny Bautista, his 43rd of the season and the Cardinals would never relinquish the lead, on their way to a 14-7 drubbing of Pittsburgh.

Adam Wainwright, even with the poor performance improves his record to 17-7 and continues to lead the majors in wins.

The star of the evening, however was Ryan Ludwick, who was a triple away from the cycle and had 2 home runs, 2 doubles and a single (13 total bases - wow), along with 5 RBI's.

The Cards improve their record to 80-56 and are now 11.5 games above the 2nd place Chicago Cubs. The Cubs don't even deserve to be in second place, having only a 67-66 record. Shameful. With the division race all but over, the Cardinals have their sights set on the National League's beast record. If the Dodgers lose this evening, the Cardinals would be tied for the best record in the NL.

The Cardinals are on an amazing run. Since July 26th, the Cardinals are 27-8, which is better than a .750 clip. In series versus other teams, the Cardinals are 10-0-1 in that span (they split a two-game series with the Mets). That after going a mediocre 53-48 to begin the season.

The additions of Holliday, DeRosa and Lugo have proved to be very positive for this team, and has given them a shot in the arm that will hopefully carry them to the World Series. But let's not count our chickens just yet.