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Garza gets rare win, Cubs down Cards

Aug 21, 2011 - 12:49 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Aramis Ramirez belted a two-run homer to support seven solid innings from Matt Garza, as the Chicago Cubs posted a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the middle installment of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

Garza (6-9), who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, scattered five hits, walked two and struck out eight to pick up just his second win in his last 10 starts.

Chicago, which improved to 13-5 in August, scored all three runs in the fourth inning off Edwin Jackson (2-2).

"That one inning I paid for a couple balls left in the middle of the plate," Jackson said.

Jon Jay and Skip Schumaker both had two hits for the Cardinals, who suffered their seventh loss in 11 contests. St. Louis is now 8 1/2 games behind Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central.

Jay doubled to begin the game before Garza issued consecutive one-out walks to Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman. The Chicago right-hander avoided trouble by getting David Freese to ground into a 6-4-3 double play.

Jackson, who faced the minimum through three innings, allowed a single to Starlin Castro to start the fourth. One batter later, Ramirez smacked the first pitch he saw over the left-field wall for his 24th home run of the season.

"He's a pretty disciplined hitter with a really good game plan," Cubs manager Mike Quade said of Ramirez. "When he goes to the plate, he's able to execute."

Carlos Pena followed with a triple and scored on a double by Marlon Byrd.

St. Louis didn't threaten again until Berkman and Schumaker singled in the seventh. Garza, though, fanned Ryan Theriot to end the frame.

Carlos Marmol tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his 29th save.

Game Notes

Ramirez entered Saturday leading the majors with 11 first-pitch homers in 2011...Jackson gave up five hits with a walk and six strikeouts over seven innings.