ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright relished the chance to stop a skid.

The Cardinals’ ace worked seven effective innings to help St. Louis beat Pittsburgh 5-1 on Thursday to avoid a four-game sweep and end the Pirates’ season-best seven-game winning streak.

“Today, I really wanted to push it as long as I possibly could,” Wainwright said. “I was having fun mixing and matching and mixing my delivery speed. I was pitching out there, that’s how I did it in 2014.”

Wainwright (8-5) was a 20-game winner two years ago, but missed most of last season with a torn left Achilles. He is rediscovering his form now, lowering his ERA to 4.49.

“He’s been a master craftsman for years,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. “He was on top of his game.”

Stephen Piscotty hit a three-run home run and Randal Grichuk also went deep for St. Louis, which reclaimed second place in the NL Central by a half-game over Pittsburgh to end a rough 4-5 homestand. All-Star Matt Carpenter (oblique) joined Brandon Moss (ankle) and Brayan Pena (knee) on the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day.

“We heard the news, then we went about our business,” Piscotty said. “We have to stay the course. I don’t think anyone’s going to give up by any means.”

Piscotty’s 11th homer off Arquimedes Caminero was initially ruled off the top of the center-field wall but the call was overturned after review. Piscotty had three homers during the home stand but didn’t think this one was out.

Tyler Glasnow (0-1) was charged with four runs in 5 1/3 innings in his debut. The 22-year-old right-hander was the 11th starter used by the Pirates and, like Steven Brault earlier in the series, got his first career hit.

“It was kind of crazy waking up and coming to the ballpark and I really think I took it all in,” the 6-foot-8 Glasnow said. “It was a fun experience.”

Hurdle was impressed.

“He commanded the zone, he made his pitches,” the manager said. “He didn’t let things get out of hand at any point in time.”

Jordy Mercer doubled and had an RBI for the Pirates, who had come from behind to win the previous six games. They haven’t swept a four-game series in St. Louis since 1997 and the Cardinals haven’t been swept in four games at home by anyone since Colorado in 2009.

Aledmys Diaz, named an All-Star earlier in the day to replace Carpenter, tripled off the top of the left-field fence and scored on a wild pitch to tie it in the fourth. Grichuk’s first homer since June 12 gave the Cardinals the lead for good in the fifth.

Wainwright matched his season best with nine strikeouts and got his 129th career win, passing Harry Brecheen for seventh on the franchise list. He’s permitted one run over 14 innings his last two outings.

“The way the first month and a half went for me was a real grind but I knew I was going to turn it around,” Wainwright said. “And I’m on my way, I wanted that eighth win.”

The first pitch was delayed 31 minutes by rain. During the homestand there were 5 hours and 44 minutes of delays.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (triceps) is expected to make a second rehab start on Sunday.

Cardinals: 3B Jhonny Peralta (left thumb) missed his second straight start.

NICE GLOVE

Cardinals 3B Greg Garcia made two nice grabs on liners, robbing Jung Ho Kang in the first and pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez in the eighth. Garcia led off in place of Carpenter and had a double, walk and scored a run.

UP NEXT

Pirates: Francisco Liriano (5-8, 5.34) snapped a five-game losing streak his last time out, but is 0-2 against the Cubs this year.

Cardinals: Michael Wacha (5-7, 4.38) has won three straight starts and faces the Brewers for the second straight time.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jung Ho Kang is playing while under investigation for sexual assault , and the Pirates infielder helped Pittsburgh climb in the standings Wednesday night.

Kang drove in two key runs with a seventh-inning double a day after Chicago police announced their investigation, and Pittsburgh beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-5 on Wednesday night for its sixth straight comeback win.

Kang’s double off Jonathan Broxton (1-1) put the Pirates up 6-5 after they trailed 5-1.

Kang, through an interpreter, declined to comment on the assault allegations after the game in his first public remarks. He did talk about the latest comeback victory, which gave Pittsburgh seven consecutive wins overall and leapfrogged them past St. Louis for second place in the NL Central.

“Not only myself but also all the teammates and the team as a whole unit, we always think positive and keep our heads in the fight,” Kang said. “And that’s what we did today and the last couple of days.”

In a statement Tuesday, police said a 23-year-old woman reported being assaulted by Kang inside a hotel. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the Chicago woman met Kang through a dating app. Kang invited the woman to his hotel room on June 17, after the Pirates played the Cubs.

The woman said she blacked out, then drifted in and out of consciousness as he sexually assaulted her. The woman’s name has not been released.

Kang has not been charged, and Major League Baseball said in a statement it would “respond fully as additional facts emerge.”

The Pirates have won three straight series at Busch Stadium after dropping their previous seven in St. Louis.

Pirates relievers combined for five scoreless innings. A.J. Schugel (2-2) got the win and Mark Melancon picked up his 26th save.

Pirates left-hander Jeff Locke lasted just four innings and had his three-start winning streak snapped.

“Typically you don’t get away with starts like that,” Locke said. “Four innings from your starter, five runs and you probably don’t have a good chance to win the game. But the guys don’t give up. You know it’s kind of inspiring.”

Rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz went 3 for 5. His 12th homer of the season tied the game 1-1 in the third and his single in the fourth capped a four-run rally for the Cardinals.

Jaime Garcia exited after giving up a pair of walks to start the sixth. Both walks came around to score.

The Cardinals have lost three straight and fell to 18-26 at home. They have lost 10 games in a row at home to teams with winning records.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny successfully challenged first base umpire Dan Iassogna’s out call on Kolten Wong that would’ve ended a four-run rally in the fourth. After a 1 minute, 35 second review, Wong was ruled safe on his bunt attempt. The Cardinals added two extra runs due to the challenge as Jedd Gyorko scored on Wong’s hit and Diaz followed with an RBI single.

CARPENTER INJURED

Cardinals All-Star second baseman Matt Carpenter left the game in the third inning with a right oblique injury after swinging awkwardly at one of Locke’s pitches. Carpenter was replaced by Wong.

Matheny said Carpenter was in the MRI tube as he spoke to reporters after the game.

“I have a high level of concern because I’ve felt that injury and I’ve seen it,” Matheny said. “It can be tough, but I’m not going to make any conclusions until we hear from the people that know what they’re talking about.”

MUSICAL CHAIRS

The Pirates recalled LHP Kyle Lobstein and optioned LHP Steven Brault to Triple-A Indianapolis. It is the fourth roster move in as many days for the Pirates.

STAGE FRIGHT

Fans that bought a special theme ticket received a John Goodman bobblehead, commemorating his character in “The Big Lebowski.” Goodman, a St. Louis native, threw out the first pitch.

“I immediately was scared and I was going to say no, but I thought it might be fun,” Goodman said. “I don’t deserve this.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: An MRI on C Chris Stewart’s knee showed wear and tear and could require surgery, but Stewart hopes to rehab and play through it. … RHPs Gerrit Cole (triceps) and Ryan Vogelsong (facial fractures) will throw bullpens Thursday.

Cardinals: C Brayan Pena (knee) was placed on the 15-day DL and C Alberto Rosario was called up from Triple-A Memphis. 3B Jhonny Peralta (thumb) sat Wednesday and is day-to-day.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Tyler Glasnow will make his major league debut. He went 7-2 with a 1.78 ERA at Indianapolis.

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (7-5, 4.70 ERA) pitched seven shutout innings in his last start and St. Louis is 10-3 in his last 13 outings.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Eric Fryer burned his former team with two hits and three RBI and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 on Tuesday night.

The Cardinals released Fryer when backup catcher Brayan Pena came off the 15-day disabled list and the Pirates claimed him off waivers on Sunday. He batted .368 with St. Louis with five RBI in 38 at-bats behind seven-time All-Star Yadier Molina but Pena has a two-year, $5 million contract.

Juan Nicasio (7-6) worked two scoreless innings in relief of lefty Steven Brault, who allowed one earned run in four innings while throwing 82 pitches and adding a single in his debut. The 24-year-old Brault pitched in place of fellow rookie Jameson Taillon, placed on the DL on Sunday with shoulder fatigue.

Josh Harrison and David Freese added RBI for the Pirates, who have taken the first two games of a four-game set and are 7-4 in the season series, closing within one-half game of the second-place Cardinals in the NL Central.

Mark Melancon finished for his 21st consecutive save and 25th in 26 chances.

Mike Leake (5-7) gave up five runs in six innings for the Cardinals, who got RBI from Jedd Gyorko and Matt Holliday. Leake has lost his last three outings with a 6.06 ERA.

Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang, under investigation by Chicago police on an allegation of sexual assault, singled pinch-hitting to open the ninth.

HOT BOX

Harrison stayed alive in a rundown between third and home long enough for the hitter and runner to take two bases in the fifth. The Cardinals finally got him out on a play scored 3-2-5-3-6-4.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: RHP Ryan Vogelsong (facial fracture) threw 61 pitches in a four-inning simulated game. … RHP Gerrit Cole (biceps) struck out six and allowed two hits for Triple-A Indianapolis to begin a rehab start.

Cardinals: SS Jhonny Peralta was taken out after three innings with discomfort in his left thumb. The team said it was unrelated to the surgery for a torn thumb ligament in March.

SLUMPING

Matt Adams, who replaced Peralta in the lineup, is in an 0-for-31 slump.

UP NEXT

Pirates: Jeff Locke (8-5, 5.13) has won his last three starts with a 1.93 ERA and bested Oakland ace Sonny Gray his last time out.

Cardinals: Jaime Garcia (6-6, 3.84) allowed one run in eight innings against the Brewers his last time out. He has a 0.57 ERA against Pittsburgh in six games, four starts.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Gregory Polanco found the best way to take the pressure off his ailing left hamstring.

The Pittsburgh outfielder simply drove the ball over the wall twice on Monday to lead the Pirates to a 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Left-hander Jonathon Niese (7-6) turned in his strongest performance in almost a month for Pittsburgh, which has won five in a row, all on the road. St. Louis had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Polanco’s two-run homer in the sixth off Carlos Martinez (7-6) put the Pirates ahead to stay 2-1. He added a solo shot in the eighth for the first two-homer game of his career.

“Hitting and swinging, I don’t feel it at all, it doesn’t bother me,” Polanco said. “I’m grateful for that. And I’m glad it’s getting better.”

Polanco struggled running to first on a ground ball in the opening inning. But he had little trouble leisurely trotting around the bases twice.

“He’s continuing to be a force in the lineup,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “A real strong performance.”

Niese (7-6) allowed just one run on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one. Niese had given up at least four earned runs in each of his last four starts including surrendering eight earned runs in an 8-3 loss to St. Louis at home on June 12.

“You can’t dwell on the past games, they’re over with,” Niese said. “So, I just focused on what’s ahead. I use my sinker more, cutter less. I was able to keep them honest.”

Relievers Arquimedes Caminero, Juan Nicasio and Neftali Feliz combined to allow one run over the final 3 1/3 innings. Feliz picked up his first save of the season despite giving up a run-scoring double to Matt Carpenter in the ninth. Feliz retired Matt Holliday on a fly out with two runners on to end the game.

The Cardinals went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base.

“Guys had a good plan, they had an idea of what they wanted to do,” St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. “We just couldn’t get that big hit. We left a little too much on the table.”

The Pittsburgh bullpen had gone 34 1/3 innings without allowing a run, prior to Carpenter’s RBI hit. That is the longest streak in the majors this season.

Jaso pushed the lead to 3-1 with a run-scoring hit in the seventh off Martinez, who gave up three runs on nine hits over seven innings. He struck out seven, walked one and recorded his seventh successive quality start.

“I just tried to concentrate all the way through,” Martinez said.

Carpenter gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the fifth.

Polanco, who leads the team with 50 RBI, played the previous six games as a designated hitter during the nine-game road trip. His last performance in the field came on June 23 against San Francisco.

Pittsburgh, which has won eight of 10, recorded its fourth successive come-from-behind win.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: C Chris Stewart was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left knee discomfort. C Eric Fryer, claimed on waivers from St. Louis on Sunday, was activated for Monday’s game. RHP Rob Scahill was designated for assignment.

Cardinals: OF Tommy Pham was scratched from the starting lineup minutes before the game with right shoulder stiffness. LHP Kevin Siegrist remains on the 15-day disabled list due to mononucleosis. He is expected to be out until after the All-Star break.

UP NEXT

RHP Mike Leake (5-6, 4.13) will take on LHP Steven Brault (0-0, 0.00), who will be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis, in the second game of the four-game series on Tuesday. Brault is replacing Jameson Taillon (2-1, 3.86), who was placed on the 15-day disabled list after Monday’s game with right shoulder fatigue.

“We’re just going to back away (with him) right now,” Hurdle said.

Brault was 2/3 with a 2.31 ERA in nine starts between Indianapolis and Class A West Virginia.

REHABBING

The Pirates also announced that RHP Gerrit Cole will make a rehab start on Tuesday in Indianapolis against Louisville. Cole was placed on the disabled list on June 14 with a strained right triceps. In addition, RHP Ryan Vogelsong will toss a 60-pitch/four inning simulated game on Tuesday. … C Francisco Cervelli will catch the session. Vogelsong was placed on the disabled list May 23 after he was hit by a line drive against Colorado. Cervelli has been on the DL since mid-June with a broken bone in his left hand.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Stephen Piscotty savored the moment of his second career grand slam. Then he got some chow.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ budding star remembered an empty stomach caused by all that time at the ballpark after a rain-soaked, twice-delayed 9-8 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers that completed a three-game sweep on Sunday. He hadn’t eaten since breakfast and the game lasted just over six hours counting stoppages.

“I hadn’t eaten before the homer, so maybe there’s something to staying hungry,” Piscotty joked.

Brandon Moss had a go-ahead double in a two-run fifth, and rookie Aledmys Diaz hit his 11th homer. The Cardinals lead the season series 7-2.

But it was a long slog to get there.

“I think guys feel like they played two,” manager Mike Matheny said. “Coming out with a win, it doesn’t matter.”

Besides falling short, the Brewers had no complaints.

“They did the best they could to make the field playable,” manager Craig Counsell said. “There was nothing you could really do. Just miserable weather.”

The start was delayed by rain 1 hour, 20 minutes, there was a 14-minute stoppage in the middle of the sixth and a third delay of 55 minutes in the top of the Brewers’ two-run seventh. Perhaps a few thousand of a crowd of 41,148 stuck it out for a game that officially lasted 3:48.

Pitchers on both sides had trouble gripping the ball.

“It seemed like it was always coming down hard when our guys were trying to make pitches,” Matheny said. “It ended up really saturating the field. I mean right there at the end you still saw puddles all over the place, but the guys stayed the course.”

Piscotty is 5 for 9 with 13 RBI with the bases loaded this season, including his first career slam on May 27 at Washington, and for his career he’s 8 for 15 with 18 RBI. He connected on a full count against Blaine Boyer with two outs in the sixth for an 8-2 lead, and got the full effect.

“Around first base you really hear the crowd start to roar and the fireworks go off,” Piscotty said. “It’s a fun trip around the bases.”

Michael Wacha (5-7) allowed two runs and nine hits and escaped his fifth and final inning when Aaron Hill grounded into a double play on a 3-1 count with the bases loaded. Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a two-run double in a four-run ninth and the go-ahead run was at first when Seung Hwan Oh struck out pinch-hitter Martin Maldonado for his second save.

Chase Anderson (4-9) has lost three straight starts, allowing 15 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings and was pulled after his fifth walk, with one out in the fifth. Jacob Barnes gave up Moss’ RBI double for the lead and Jhonny Peralta’s sacrifice fly.

“He was not his normal self,” Counsell said of Anderson.

Ramon Flores’ two-run double put the Brewers ahead in the fourth and Ryan Braun had four singles. Milwaukee is 13-26 on the road with one series win and four splits in 13 attempts, and finished the first half 35-46.

BREWERS MOVE

After the game the Brewers optioned OF Keon Broxton to Triple-A Colorado Springs and purchased the contract of IF Will Middlebrooks from Colorado Springs. LHP Chris Capuano was transferred to the 60-day disabled list from the 15-day DL.

SURPRISE STICK

Anderson, who entered a career .077 hitter, singled in the second.

ROSENTHAL’S WOES

Trevor Rosenthal, who lost his closer job about a week ago, faced four hitters in the seventh, retired none of them and was charged with two runs.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Carlos Martinez (7-5) is to start against Pittsburgh. He is 3-0 with a 1.06 ERA in his last six starts, allowing no runs in three of them. He is 3-4 with a 4.02 ERA against the Pirates.

Brewers: Milwaukee is 9-2 in starts by Junior Guerra (5-1) entering an 11:05 a.m. game at Washington. The right-hander will be facing the Nationals for the first time.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A much-maligned St. Louis Cardinals defense stepped up, and Adam Wainwright kept them busy.

Wainwright pitched seven innings, Kolten Wong had a two-run triple and St. Louis turned four double plays in a 3-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

“We played great,” Wainwright said. “Our guys made the plays when they needed to and swung the bats when they needed to.”

The Cardinals lead the majors with 64 errors. But they played a clean game against the Brewers, including double plays in the fourth, fifth and sixth for Wainwright.

Jonathan Broxton got three outs and Seung Hwan Oh, a longtime closer in Japan and Korea, finished the seven-hitter for his first career save. Manager Mike Matheny removed Trevor Rosenthal from the closer role about a week ago.

“Whether it’s a young guy coming in or a more experienced pitcher, it’s nice to have a little more of a cushion,” Matheny said.

St. Louis improved to 6-2 against Milwaukee and goes for a three-game series sweep on Sunday.

Milwaukee is 13-25 on the road and has lost 27 of its last 40 against the Cardinals. The Brewers have been shut out five times this season, three times by St. Louis.

“I don’t know if I can speak for everybody but I know I’m frustrated with every loss,” Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson said. “I don’t care if it’s against a Pee Wee team or against the best team in the world.”

Wong made his first start at second base since June 4, replacing Matt Carpenter when the two-time All-Star took the day off to attend to a death in the family. Wong had been playing the outfield since being recalled from the minors and Matheny said that’s where he’ll be when Carpenter returns.

“I definitely see second base as my position and I know I’ll be back there soon,” Wong said. “It’s just now how this team is rolling I’m just trying to get in the lineup wherever I can.”

Wong’s drive eluded right fielder Ramon Flores’ bid for a diving catch in the third. Greg Garcia followed with a bunt hit on the squeeze on Nelson (5-7).

Wong has nine RBI on the year in 165 at-bats.

“I haven’t been driving the ball at all this year, so it’s been tough,” Wong said. “I love the feeling of driving in runs and driving the ball.”

The Brewers had a hit every inning against Wainwright (7-5), but had two runners just once in the fifth. Wainwright lowered his ERA to 4.70, shaking off a rough outing in which he surrendered six runs in five innings at Kansas City.

Wainwright made his first appearance against Milwaukee since April 25, 2015, when he ruptured his left Achilles.

Nelson allowed two earned runs in six innings. He is 0-6 in seven games, all but one of them starts, against the Cardinals.

Nelson, Marco Estrada and Jordan Zimmermann are the only active pitchers with five career decisions against St. Louis and zero wins.

“I mean, that’s in the past,” Nelson said. “This is the first time I’ve thrown against them this year. I’m different than I was last year.”

The start was delayed 92 minutes by rain.

BIG D

Cardinals center fielder Tommy Pham made a nice catch on Chris Carter’s drive to the warning track in the sixth.

MILESTONES MADE

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina got a standing ovation for his 1,500th hit, a single in the fourth. Wainwright has 128 career victories, tied for seventh on the franchise list with Harry Brecheen (1940-52).

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RF Stephen Piscotty (left ankle) returned after missing two games.

UP NEXT

Brewers: Chase Anderson (4-8, 5.45 ERA) gets the ball in the series finale on Sunday. He gave up five earned runs in four innings his last time out.

Cardinals: Michael Wacha (4-7, 4.42 ERA) has won two straight starts and is 3-0 with a 4.42 ERA for his career against Milwaukee. This year, he is just 1-4 with a 4.82 ERA at home.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Holliday drove in three runs, left-hander Jaime Garcia threw eight solid innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-1 on Friday night.

The Cardinals ended a seven-game home losing streak, their longest since Aug. 2-15, 1983. It was their first home win since a 6-3 victory over San Francisco on June 5.

Milwaukee has lost four of five and fell to 13-24 on the road, the second-worst road record in the National League behind the Cincinnati Reds.

Garcia (6-6) allowed four hits. He struck out six and walked four.

Rookie Aledmys Diaz had two hits and reached base three times for the Cardinals. He missed the previous three games after fouling a pitch off the area around his right eye on Monday.

Chris Carter hit his 20th homer of the season for the Brewers in the second inning.

Holliday highlighted a five-run outburst in the fourth with a two-run single. Yadier Molina, Garcia and Matt Carpenter also drove in runs in the inning.

Matt Garza (1-1) gave up seven runs, four earned, in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked four.

Molina had two hits and sits at 1,499 for his career.

FULL OF MOSS

St. Louis OF Brandon Moss led the major leagues with a .792 slugging percentage in June. He had eight home runs in the month and recorded at least one extra-base hit in 12 of 21 games.

BACKES LOVE

Former St. Louis Blues wing David Backes was given a standing ovation when introduced midway through the game. Backes signed a 5-year, $30 million dollar free agent contract with the Boston Bruins earlier Friday.

WRITING LEGEND

Hall of Fame sportswriter Rick Hummel celebrated his 45th anniversary with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Friday.

The press box at Busch Stadium is named in Hummel’s honor.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: LHP Kevin Siegrist has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with mononucleosis. RHP Sam Tuivailala will replace Siegrist on the roster. Tuivailala was 2-1 with a 5.06 ERA in 29 games at Triple-A Memphis and converted 13 of 16 save opportunities. Siegrist was 5-2 with 2.78 ERA in 35 appearances.

UP NEXT

RHP Adam Wainwright (6-5, 5.04) will take on Milwaukee RHP Jimmy Nelson (5-6, 3.60) in the second game of the three-game set on Saturday. Wainwright is 12-8 against the Brewers with a 2.32 ERA. Nelson leads the Brewers with eight quality starts.

— Associated Press —