Wainwright, Cardinals beat Cubs 3-1

[May 22, 2009]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Adam Wainwright came within an out of the St. Louis Cardinals' second complete game during a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs and Albert Pujols hit a first-inning homer that knocked out the "I" on the Big Mac Land sign in left field in a 3-1 victory Thursday night.

Wainwright (4-2) allowed five hits in 8 2-3 innings, striking out seven with one walk before Ryan Franklin got Milton Bradley to line out with a man on for his 11th save in 12 chances. The Cubs were limited to two runs in the series and have lost four in a row for the second time this season, and also have dropped five of six to the Cardinals.

Joel Pineiro threw a three-hitter in the series opener Tuesday and Chris Carpenter worked five scoreless innings on Wednesday.

[Associated Press; By R.B. FALLSTROM]

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