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Cardinals finally break out in win over Rockies

May 10, 2007 - 12:15 AM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- A recent offensive outburst is coming from unlikely sources for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Aaron Miles had three hits and Scott Spiezio and Ryan Ludwick added two apiece Wednesday as the Cardinals erupted for their most runs this month in a 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Adam Wainwright (3-2) won his second straight start for St. Louis, which had been held to three runs or less in nine straight games before Tuesday's 4-1 victory. In the series finale, they scored four runs in the sixth inning to break open the game.

The nine runs were the most by St. Louis since it tallied a season-high 12 in a 10-inning win at Wrigley Field on April 22. Struggling sluggers Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds each drove in a run, but the offense was carried by Miles, Spiezio and Ludwick.

"That's one of the brightest things that has happened since the season started," Cardinal manager Tony La Russa said. "If you are struggling like we are struggling and you end up shaking hands, that is a real good sign."

The game was tied, 2-2, when Spiezio - who had a two-run double in TUesday's win - opened the fifth with a walk. Alberto Arias came on for Jason Hirsh (2-3) and was greeted by an RBI double from Ludwick. After a sacrifice, Miles singled for a 4-2 lead.

La Russa gave Spiezio the start at third to spell Scott Rolen, who is mired in a 1-for-34 slump.

"(Spiezio) is a unique player. He plays well when he starts, but he stays ready on the bench," LaRussa said. "I like when I play Scott, because he is always going to do something."

Colorado's Zach McClellan opened the sixth and walked Chris Duncan before singles by Pujols and Edmonds made it 5-2. Spiezio followed with a run-scoring double and Ludwick reached on an error by rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for a 7-2 advantage.

Miles doubled later in the frame after a run scored on a double play. He also singled and scored in the second, when Pujols walked with the bases loaded - and Edmonds left them that way by striking out.

"Today was a lot of the old-time Cardinals, turning over the batting order," Miles said. "You look through the lineup, and we had a lot of hits. I was not here before but this lineup has been one of the most feared in baseball for a while."

La Russa is impressed with the effort of his reserve shortstop.

"I don't think he is playing enough. He has done enough to earn more at-bats - get three hits when you play - and then come back Friday and get your heart broken when you are not in the lineup," La Russa said. "That is the role of a utility player. On another club he would be playing more."

The Cardinals also left the bases loaded in the third, when Adam Kennedy struck out. Despite the offensive uprising, St. Louis left 12 runners.

A perennial MVP candidate and one of the mst feared hitters in baseball, Pujols had two hits, raising his average to .261. Edmonds was 1-for-4 to lift his average to .211.

Wainwright eventually gave back the lead, allowing RBI doubles by Todd Helton in the third and Brad Hawpe in the fifth.

However, the converted reliever settled down and appears to be finding a rhythm in the rotation. He scattered nine hits over six innings, striking out four without a walk.

"I was all right. It was better today than it was my last time out, and hopefully the next time it will be better than today," Wainwright said. "It was nice for our hitters that I didn't give up runs in the first inning. It is hard to play ahead, when you are giving up runs in the first inning. It is something I've struggled with this year.

"I think it gave us a little momentum early when I did not give one up. I am definitely moving in the right direction, and feel like I am getting better each time out."

Three relievers finished up with a scoreless inning apiece, giving the Cardinals (14-18) consecutive wins for the first time since April 25-26.

A 25-year-old righthander, Hirsh had lasted at least six innings in all but one start until Wednesday, when he worked just four-plus innings. He gave up three runs, five hits and six walks, striking out five.

"Today was something I am not used to," Hirsh said. "It is inexcusable. I just feel like I am way out of sync."