The Cardinals had only one runner in scoring position through eight innings Wednesday, other than a solo home run. Their defense didn't make any big plays, and their pitcher, Joel Pineiro, allowed too much contact again.
Assuring themselves of a losing trip (they are 1-4 with Thursday night's game remaining) and their third series loss in the last four, the Cardinals were no match again for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the last-place club in their division. The Pirates won despite having a run taken off the board with a correct reversal of a home run call in the first inning. The Cardinals, who have lost seven of their last 10 games, have been outscored 12-3 over the first two games of the series. Other than second baseman Skip Schumaker's fourth-inning homer Wednesday -- his first home run since last Aug. 16 -- the Cardinals mustered only one other hit off right-hander Ross Ohlendorf in six innings.
Pineiro, who suffered his third straight loss after four consecutive victories, didn't walk a batter for the third time in his seven starts. But he struck out only one, on a failed bunt attempt by Ohlendorf, and gave up 11 hits, including five doubles and a couple of seeing-eye singles.
"(Pineiro) gave up a lot of hits," manager Tony La Russa said. "He didn't pitch all that well. The big thing was that we got shut down offensively."
PIRATES 5, CARDINALS 2: After eight meetings this season, the Cardinals and Pirates are all even at 4-4. RHP Joel Pineiro became the latest Cardinals starter to struggle, giving up five runs in six innings. In the team's last five starts, no St. Louis starter has allowed fewer than four runs.
