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Cubs' Wood seeks another win over Cardinals

May 12, 2014 - 2:38 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Lefty Travis Wood aims for a second win against St. Louis in 10 days on Monday night, when the Chicago Cubs visit Busch Stadium to begin a four-game series with the Cardinals.

Wood picked up his second victory of the season -- and fourth of his career against the Cardinals -- on May 2, allowing two earned runs on six hits in seven innings of a 6-5 triumph.

He walked none and struck out six batters in the win.

In one subsequent start, however, Wood was battered for eight runs on eight hits in just four innings of an 8-3 interleague loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

For the Cardinals, fellow left-hander Tyler Lyons makes his fourth starting bid in search of win No. 1 for 2014.

The 26-year-old Texan pitched a scoreless inning of relief against the Cubs in the aforementioned May 2 game, but did not factor in the decision.

It was his lone career meeting with Chicago.

Lyons pitched six strong innings and allowed four hits and a run in one outing since, getting a no-decision in the Cardinals' 2-1 loss at Atlanta on Tuesday after walking one and striking out seven.

On Sunday in Atlanta, Evan Gattis and Jason Heyward both homered to back a solid start from Aaron Harang, as the Braves completed a three-game sweep of the Cubs with a 5-2 triumph at Turner Field.

Chicago starter Edwin Jackson (2-3) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks over six frames to absorb the loss.

Nate Schierholtz smacked a two-run double for the Cubs, who have lost seven of their last eight.

In Pittsburgh, Allen Craig and Yadier Molina posted a pair of hits to go with an RBI and run scored and the Cardinals hung on to beat the Pirates, 6-5, in the finale of a three-game set.

Trailing by two runs going into the ninth, Pittsburgh got a run back when Neil Walker hit a double and Andrew McCutchen singled to plate him and make it 6-5. The Pirates later loaded the bases with none away, but Trevor Rosenthal got Ike Davis to pop out into foul territory and Jordy Mercer to roll into a 1-2-3 double play to end the game and give Rosenthal his 10th save of the season.

Shelby Miller (5-2) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings for the Cardinals, who avoided being swept.

The Cardinals and Cubs have split six meetings this season.