Cardinals rout Pirates 11-4 behind Wainwright

[May 10, 2010]  PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Yadier Molina drove in three runs and the St. Louis Cardinals twice batted around during big innings, beating Pittsburgh 11-4 on Sunday for the Pirates' 12th loss of six runs or more in 31 games.

Adam Wainwright (5-1) gave up two runs and five hits over six innings -- the 25th time in 26 starts dating to last season he's lasted at least six and permitted three runs or fewer. He is 16-5 in his last 26 starts.

With Wainwright on the mound, the Cardinals didn't need nearly as much offense as they got against the Pirates, one of the majors' most perplexing clubs. The Pirates are 10-2 in games decided by two runs or fewer -- normally, a sign of a winning club -- but they have been blown out in more than one-third of their games.

The Pirates already have losses by margins of 20, 14, nine and eight runs (three times), plus three losses of seven runs and three by six runs, and the season isn't even one-fifth over. They have won only twice by six runs or more while going 14-17.

The Cardinals took advantage of three walks by Paul Maholm (2-3) while sending 10 batters to the plate during a four-run third inning. The inning included Joe Mather's RBI single and Nick Stavinoha's run-scoring double.

After left fielder Lastings Milledge couldn't hold onto Ryan Ludwick's wind-blown fly ball during a two-run fourth -- Ludwick was given a triple -- St. Louis put it away by sending 11 to the plate during a five-run sixth.

Brian Bass walked three, including Albert Pujols intentionally, around four singles and a hit batter. Molina had a two-run single and pinch hitter Colby Rasmus also singled in a run.

The Pirates committed two errors, walked eight (two intentionally) and hit another batter.

Garrett Jones hit a two-run single in the fourth for the Pirates' only scoring against Wainwright, who has permitted as many as three runs only once in seven starts this season. Pittsburgh also scored twice in the ninth.

The Cardinals took two of three in the series and are 52-26 in Pittsburgh since PNC Park opened in 2001, the best winning percentage (.667) of any club that has played at least 50 games here. Pittsburgh won three of its first four series at home.

NOTES: The Cardinals had 11 runs, 11 hits and left 11 on base. ... The game-time temperature was 47, with a steady wind in the 20 mph range. ... Pujols' strikeout in the fourth was his first in 27 at-bats against Maholm. He is 16 for 27 against the left-hander. ... Cardinals reliever Kyle McClellan singled in the eighth for his first major league hit.

[Associated Press; By ALAN ROBINSON]

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