Cardinals jump on Pirates, win 9-4

ST. LOUIS -- Edgar Renteria hit a three-run double as the Cardinals staked Darryl Kile to a six-run lead in the first inning Saturday, leading St. Louis to a 9-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kile, who received a team-low average of 3.2 runs of support before this game, pitched seven innings to even his record. He allowed six hits and two walks while striking out two.

The Cardinals have won each of Kile's last four starts. In those starts, Kile (3-3) has allowed five runs in 26 innings

Bronson Arroyo lasted just three innings. He gave up seven hits and six runs while walking two. The six runs were the most for Arroyo (0-1) since he allowed six in a start last June 20 against Philadelphia.

The Cardinals have won 17 of their last 22 games. St. Louis' six-run first was its biggest opening inning this season.

Miguel Cairo and Placido Polanco opened with singles and J.D. Drew doubled off the left-field fence, scoring Cairo. An intentional walk to Albert Pujols loaded the bases. Eduardo Perez snapped a 0-for-14 skid when he drove in Polanco with his first hit since April 27.

Renteria then cleared the bases with a double to right center. He took third on a throw home meant to get Perez. Mike Matheny laid down a perfect squeeze bunt, scoring Renteria for the sixth run.

Pittsburgh got a run back in the third on an RBI single by Brian Giles. And three more back on Craig Wilson's three-run shot in the eighth.

St. Louis made it 7-1 in the fourth when Polanco scored from third on a passed ball.

The Cardinals tacked on another run in the sixth for an 8-1 lead. Drew singled, went to third on a throwing error by reliever Joe Beimel and scored on a Perez fielder's choice. St. Louis added a run in the seventh when Cairo doubled home Matheny.