Cards knock out Zambrano, defeat the Cubs 12-6

[September 20, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Carlos Zambrano went from a no-hitter to an early exit, so the Chicago Cubs will have to wait another day to clinch the National League Central. Adam Kennedy capped a five-run first with a grand slam, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cubs 12-6 Friday, slowing their march toward a second straight division title.

Chicago's magic number for clinching was at two over Milwaukee when the day began, but any chance at wrapping it up quickly disappeared.

After pitching the Cubs' first no-hitter in 36 years Sunday against Houston in Milwaukee, Zambrano allowed eight runs and six hits in just 1 2-3 innings. His shortest outing in two years ended with an odd exchange with manager Lou Piniella.

Zambrano (14-6) tried to come off the mound early when Piniella yanked him. The manager wouldn't allow it, and Zambrano gestured toward him before handing over the ball on the way to the dugout.

Kennedy tied a career high with four hits while driving in five runs and scoring three, after acknowledging earlier that this will probably be his last season in St. Louis because his role has dwindled. His second-career grand slam came after a leadoff double by Skip Schumaker and run-scoring single by Albert Pujols in the first and sent the Cardinals to their second straight win after dropping a season-high seven in a row.

Adam Wainwright (10-3) allowed two runs and four hits over five innings for St. Louis, which began the day six games out of the wild card. He struck out five while walking three, and the Cardinals supported him with 18 hits.

St. Louis had two runs in and was leading 7-0 in the second when Zambrano walked Troy Glaus. Piniella popped out of the dugout and the odd exchange occurred, an ugly end to Zambrano's shortest outing since he lasted 1 1-3 innings against Pittsburgh on Sept. 4, 2006.

Sean Marshall came in and allowed an RBI single by Kennedy that made it 8-0.

The eight runs were one shy of Zambrano's season high, which he allowed in a loss to St. Louis on Aug. 9, and he got knocked around after the no-hitter seemed to erase doubts about an achy shoulder.

He received a standing ovation as he took the mound before the game. Then, his day turned sour.

Schumaker doubled to the left-field corner on the game's second pitch, moved to third on Ryan Ludwick's bloop single and came around on Pujols' hit to left. Felipe Lopez then walked to load the bases with none out, and after Glaus flied to center, Kennedy drove the first pitch over the left-field wall to make it 5-0. The grand slam was the second of his career and first since he hit one for the Angels at Toronto on April 18, 2000.

That was plenty for Wainwright, who was 0-3 with a 6.44 ERA in 14 previous appearances and five starts against Chicago. The Cubs simply did little against him after rallying to beat Milwaukee 7-6 in 12 innings and take two of three from the Brewers. Having Geovany Soto might have helped, but the All-Star catcher was scratched with a sore left hand after hitting the tying three-run homer in the ninth on Thursday.

Notes: The 18 hits allowed tied the Cubs' season high. ... Soto hurt his hand on a swing early in Thursday's win. ... Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa said he expects Joel Pineiro to rejoin the team in time to start Saturday. The right-hander was with his wife Shirley, who gave birth to twin boys on Thursday.

[Associated Press; By ANDREW SELIGMAN]

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