--RHP Adam Wainwright's two hits in three tries gave him a .329 career average (25 for 76). He has hit safely in six of his last eight games dating to last year and is 10 for 18 (.556) in that span.
--1B Albert Pujols doubled in two runs in the first inning, extending his hitting streak to eight games. --One of the highlights of Wednesday's game was a first-inning walk. CF Rick Ankiel fouled off seven full-count pitches from RHP Carlos Villanueva to make it a 17-pitch at-bat before he walked. The wear and tear on Villanueva seemed evident as the Milwaukee pitcher could make only 4 2/3 innings out of a total of 109 pitches.
--RHP Chris Carpenter, on the mend from shoulder surgery of last year, threw 60 or so pitches. "He continues to improve, and that's a great sign," manager Tony La Russa said. "He's got a lot to do but there's definitely enough time."
Carpenter isn't expected back until mid-July.
--For the second consecutive night -- and perhaps the second time ever -- both teams had their pitchers hitting eighth. "The history escapes me," said La Russa.
--The Cardinals are 10-1 when they score first and have trailed for just 27 innings in their first 15 games.
BY THE NUMBERS: 15 1/3 -- Number of scoreless innings as a Cardinal for RHP Kyle Lohse before he allowed two runs in the fourth inning last Friday against San Francisco.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "People pay attention to the ninth inning and sometimes overlook what goes before." -- RHP Jason Isringhausen, extolling the virtues of such setup men as RHP Ryan Franklin.
