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Cardinals aim for fourth straight win

Aug 15, 2007 - 2:53 PM St Louis (56-60) at Milwaukee (62-57) 8:05 pm EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Cardinals look to continue their climb in the Nationals League Central when they continue a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

In Tuesday's opener, Jim Edmonds had four hits and three RBI as the defending World Series champion Cardinals coasted for their sixth win in eight tries, 12-4.

St. Louis closed within 4 1/2 games behind division-leading Milwaukee, which also holds a 1 1/2-game advantage over the Chicago Cubs (60-58).

Joel Pineiro (1-1, 3.00 ERA) get the call for the Cardinals. He was solid in his last start, tossing seven scoreless innings in a 5-0 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday.

Milwaukee counters with rookie Yovani Gallardo (4-2, 4.20), who was hammered for season highs in runs (11) and hits (12) in just 2 2/3 innings of a 19-4 setback at the Colorado Rockies last Wednesday.

Last time against St. Louis, the 21-year-old righthander gave up four runs and four hits in five frames for a no-decision in a 9-5 loss on July 29.

The Brewers' Ryan Braun continued to amaze, finishing just a double shy of hitting for the cycle on Tuesday. The rookie third baseman is batting .417 with three triples, five homers and 10 RBI during an 11-game hitting streak.