Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Allan Craig hit a three-run home run and Adam Wainwright became the National League's second 20-game winner thanks to six sturdy innings of work as St. Louis kept its faint playoff hopes alive with a 7-1 victory over the Cubs in the first of a three-game set.
Wainwright (20-11) yielded a lone run on six hits while walking one and fanning seven and added a run-scoring double to become the Redbirds first 20- game winner since Chris Carpenter won 21 times in 2005.
Albert Pujols went 1-for-2, walked three times and scored twice while Matt Holliday singled, drew two free passes and scored a run for the Cardinals, who trail NL Central leading Cincinnati by seven games and are the same distance behind wild card leader Atlanta with nine games to play.
Tom Gorzelanny (7-9) absorbed the loss after allowing seven runs on seven hits and five walks while fanning four over 3 1/3 innings for the Cubs, who had a five-game win streak over St. Louis snapped and still lead the season series, 8-5.
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