--RHP Chris Carpenter threw well and without pain Tuesday in a bullpen session in Pittsburgh, and Carpenter is scheduled to throw a simulated game Friday. 

The Cardinals, who already had dropped five of their last eight games, lost twice Tuesday. 

--1B Albert Pujols has 38 homers against Pittsburgh in his career, including 21 at PNC Park, where he is hitting . 

Pirates outfielder Brandon Moss kept insisting he felt fine, that he was comfortable at the plate and confident in his swing. 

Facing the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates on the road continues to be a struggle for the NL Central-leading St. 

Albert Pujols' home run in the first inning struck halfway up the batter's backstop in center field, the kind of drive that can unnerve a pitcher. 

Zach Duke limited St. 

2:13Hi, everyone -- and thanks for coming! Dick Stockton will be joining us in the chat room in about 15 minutes. 

EDs: APNewsNow. 

--3B Brian Barden's fourth-inning double snapped a nothing-for-14 slump. 

Albert Pujols snapped a nothing-for-11 dive Sunday with his 12th home run of the season but the big hitters were Chris Duncan and Colby Rasmus, who knocked in five of the eight runs. 

--RHP Ryan Franklin suffered his first blown save of the season in his 10th save opportunity Sunday when he surrendered solo homers to SS Jerry Hairston Jr. 

Paul Janish swung at the game's 401st pitch and hit it high and foul, leaving plenty of room for St. 

Ryan Franklin was dumbfounded. 

May 9, 2009 (Baseball Musings delivered byNewstex) --