Cards keep D-Backs from clinching

ST. LOUIS -- Arizona star Luis Gonzalez separated his left shoulder in an outfield collision and the Diamondbacks again failed to clinch a playoff spot, losing 13-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night.

There was no word on how long Gonzalez would be sidelined. But clearly, it was a potentially major blow to the World Series champions.

"It doesn't look good for him being a part of our postseason," losing pitcher Rick Helling said. "Hopefully, it's not as bad as they think it is."

Gonzalez declined comment in the locker room. The left fielder was to be evaluated Tuesday back in Phoenix.

Gonzalez is batting .288 with 28 home runs and 103 RBIs. He got the hit that won last year's World Series for the Diamondbacks.

He was hurt when he tried to make a diving catch on Tino Martinez's bloop double in the fourth inning. Shortstop Tony Womack's knee hit Gonzalez's shoulder, and Womack cartwheeled over his teammate.

The Cardinals broke open the game by scoring 10 runs in the seventh inning, and sent Arizona to its fourth straight loss. The NL West leaders have a magic number of one for wrapping up a playoff berth, with six games to go.

The Diamondbacks' lead for home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs is down to two games over St. Louis, which has won 16 of 19. The NL Central champion Cardinals posted their highest-scoring game of the season in the opener of a three-game series.

Eli Marrero had four hits for the second time in four games. St. Louis tied a season high with 18 hits.

Marrero hit a three-run double in the big seventh, which also featured three infield RBI singles and nine consecutive two-out hits.

Arizona, which has given up double-digit run totals in its last three losses, leads the Giants by four games in the NL West. They've been outscored 48-20 during the losing streak.

Jamey Wright (7-13) allowed a run on three hits in five innings.

Albert Pujols' RBI double off the right-field wall against Helling (9-12) snapped a tie in the Cardinals' two-run fifth. Edgar Renteria drove in two runs for St. Louis, setting a career high with 78 RBIs.

Diamondbacks third baseman Chris Donnels, playing in place of injured Matt Williams, also left with a mild concussion. Donnels landed awkwardly making a lunging throw on Marrero's bunt single in the third and left for a pinch-hitter in the fourth.

Junior Spivey's 14th homer in the first gave the Diamondbacks their only lead.

Wright was wild in his first start since Sept. 4, walking five. He's unlikely to make the Cardinals' postseason roster, but won for the first time in five career decisions at Busch Stadium.

Helling, who gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings, has one win in his last seven starts and is on the bubble for a rotation spot in the postseason.

NOTES The teams are meeting for the first time since April 15-17 in Phoenix, when the Diamondbacks took two of three. ... Wright is 1-4 with an 8.23 ERA in six career starts at Busch Stadium. He made his second start in St. Louis since being acquired from the Brewers Aug. 29.