Wainwright, Cards dampen D'backs' playoff chances

[September 25, 2008]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Adam Wainwright pitched out of two bases-loaded jams and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Arizona 4-2 on Wednesday night to dampen the Diamondbacks' playoff hopes.

The Diamondbacks, who stranded 11 runners, fell four games behind first-place Los Angeles in the NL West. The Dodgers, who beat San Diego 12-4 on Wednesday, clinched at least a tie for the division title.

Arizona's Mark Reynolds struck out once to tie the major league record for strikeouts in a season with 199. Philadelphia's Ryan Howard set the mark last season.

Wainwright (11-3) pitched into the seventh inning, allowing seven hits and five walks. Wainwright, 7-1 at home this year, has won his last six decisions and hasn't lost since June 2. He was sidelined from June 8 to Aug. 22 by a middle finger sprain.

Ryan Franklin pitched the ninth for his 17th save in 24 chances.

Arizona rookie Max Scherzer (0-4) pitched for the first time in his hometown and didn't help himself with a two-run throwing error in the second inning. A first-round draft pick in 2006, Scherzer lasted five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs, two earned.

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa loaded up with left-handers, leaving Albert Pujols, Troy Glaus and Ryan Ludwick out of the starting lineup.

In the second, Josh Phelps singled and Mark Johnson walked. Wainwright put down a bunt but Scherzer threw away from second baseman David Eckstein at first, allowing both runners to score for a 2-0 lead.

Arizona got even in the third. Scherzer led off with a walk and went to third on Stephen Drew's double. An RBI single by Chris Young and a double play groundout by Conor Jackson tied it at 2.

The Cardinals went ahead 3-2 in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Cesar Izturis. In the fifth, Adam Kennedy's single scored Aaron Miles for a 4-2 lead. 

[Associated Press]

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