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Cardinals go for fifth straight win vs. Pirates

Aug 1, 2007 - 1:20 PM St. Louis (50-53) at Pittsburgh (42-62) 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- For one of the first times this season, the St. Louis Cardinals are starting to flash the form that made them last season's World Series champions.

On Wednesday, the Cardinals look to claim their season-high fifth straight win when they continue their three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

With a four-game winning streak to end the month, St. Louis finished 15-11 in July, matching their record from last July, the last time they put together a winning month.

If history is indication, the Cardinals are sending out the right pitcher to prolong their winning streak as Braden Looper (8-8, 4.85 ERA) takes the mound. In 25 career appearances - two starts - against the Pirates, he is 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA, including a six-inning win on May 24.

The righthander will be seeking wins in consecutive starts for the first time since May 6-12. In Thursday's 11-1 victory over the the Chicago Cubs, he permitted one run and five hits over seven innings.

While the Cardinals are playing some good baseball, the Pirates are not. Pittsburgh has dropped 14 of 16 since the All-Star break, a stretch they hope Tony Armas (0-3, 6.93) can end.

The righthander will be making his first start since May 17 after 13 relief outings. He surrendered one run and three hits over 1 2/3 innings of relief in Friday's 8-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Armas is 1-2 with a 4.94 ERA in five lifetime starts and one relief appearance against St. Louis.