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Pineiro makes debut for Cardinals vs. Nationals

Aug 4, 2007 - 2:42 PM St Louis (50-56) at Washington (49-60) 7:05 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Cardinals are struggling to stay in the race in the National League Central. Perhaps a castoff from the Boston Red Sox can help them gain some ground.

Joel Pineiro will make his first appearance for the Cardinals on Saturday when they visit the Washington Nationals, who are riding a four-game winning streak.

St. Louis currently sits seven games behind the Milwaukee Brewers (59-51) in the NL Central after dropping the series opener on Friday, 3-2. Ryan Zimmerman completed a three-hit night by driving in the winning run off Cardinals reliever Ryan Franklin in the ninth inning.

St. Louis acquired Pineiro (1-1, 5.03 ERA) for a player to be named later on Tuesday after the Red Sox had designated the righthander for assignment. Pineiro made 31 appearances out of the bullpen for Boston, but served mainly as a starter for Seattle the first seven years of his career.

The 28-year-old Pineiro has faced the Nationals before, going 1-1 with a 2.11 ERA in three starts.

Washington will counter with Joel Hanrahan (0-0, 4.50), who will be making just his second career start. The 25-year-old righthander tossed six solid innings on July 28 at the New York Mets, yielding three runs and four hits but did not factor in the 6-5 win.