Cardinal winning streak hits nine

PITTSBURGH -- Albert Pujols drove in his 15th run of the week as the St. Louis Cardinals extended their winning streak to nine games by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1 Saturday night.

Bud Smith (6-2) won his third straight decision, pitching five innings and allowing four hits, including a solo homer by Craig Wilson -- the only run Smith has allowed in 21 innings.

St. Louis, which leads the NL wild card race, is on its longest winning streak since taking 11 in a row from Aug. 9-19. The Pirates have lost seven straight, matching their season high.

Gene Stechschulte got three outs in the ninth for his fifth save in seven chances. The Cardinals are 42-21 since the All-Star break, the best record in the National League.

Pujols' RBI single came in a two-run third against Todd Ritchie (11-13). The Cardinals were leading 1-0 when Kerry Robinson walked leading off, stole second and scored on J.D. Drew's single. After a wild pitch, Pujols drove in Drew for his 126th RBI.

Pujols is batting .455 (10-for-22) this week with four doubles, two homers and seven runs. His 15 RBIs have come in six games.

Edgar Renteria led off the fourth with a double and scored on Robinson's single.

Pujols opened the second with a single and, running on the pitch, scored from first on Jim Edmonds' double to right.

Ritchie, who gave up four runs and 10 hits in 7 1-3 innings, had won eight straight home decisions since a 5-1 loss to Atlanta on June 1. He is 1-6 in his career against St. Louis, including 0-3 this season. NOTES: St. Louis has won 12 of 13 and 14 of 17. ... The Cardinals are 11-2 against the last-place Pirates this year and 6-0 at PNC Park. ... The Pirates must go 8-5 to avoid their first 100-loss season since 1985. Nine of those games are on the road, where they have a major league-worst 20-52 record.