Ludwick helps Cardinals to 3-0 win over Marlins

[August 15, 2008]  MIAMI (AP) -- Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run homer and a run-scoring double, Todd Wellemeyer pitched three-hit ball into the eighth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Florida Marlins 3-0 on Thursday night.

The Cardinals headed for a weekend series in Cincinnati having won three of four from the Marlins, who dropped well off the pace of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.

Wellemeyer (10-4) walked four and struck out three over 7 2-3 innings, his longest outing of the season. He previously had gone seven innings on four occasions.

Wellemeyer retired 13 straight hitters at one point before walking Hanley Ramirez with two out in the eighth. The Marlins went without a hit between Dan Uggla's lead-off single in the second and Luis Gonzalez's two-out single in the eighth.

Ludwick's two-run homer in the seventh opened a 3-0 lead.

Cesar Izturis led off with a single to left before Joe Mather flied out to right. Ludwick then sent Scott Olsen's 1-0 pitch over the wall in left-center for his 30th home run and RBI Nos. 89 and 90.

Olsen (6-8) gave up three runs, 10 hits and struck out six in seven innings. He lost his fourth straight decision.

Izturis, batting in the ninth spot, led off the third with a single. He then stole second and took third on first baseman Mike Jacobs's throwing error. After Mather flied out to short center, Ludwick lined a double into the left-field corner for a 1-0 lead.

Ludwick entered the game hitting .217 (5 for 23) on the road trip.

With two out in the eighth, Ramirez walked and Gonzalez singled softly to left. Wellemeyer was replaced by Russ Springer, who promptly struck out Jorge Cantu.

[Associated Press]

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