Lynn struggles in Cards' loss to Cubs

CHICAGO -- Lance Lynn is looking forward to the upcoming All-Star break. He needs some time to get ready for the rest of the season.

Lynn was knocked out in the fifth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals went on to a 6-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night.

"You go through times in the season where things aren't going your way, and I'm definitely in one of those stints right now," he said, "and you've got to weather the storm and get through them and good thing we have an All-Star break coming up so I can recoup and get ready for the second half."

Lynn (11-4) was charged with six runs, five earned, and a season-high 10 hits in 4 1-3 innings. The right-hander dropped to 5-2 with a 3.30 ERA in eight career appearances against the Cubs.

It was his shortest outing since he lasted just four-plus innings in his first start of the season on April 3 at Arizona.

"He's been doing a pretty good job for us overall, his record indicates," manager Mike Matheny said. "This is one of those times we talked about pitchers shouldn't reinvent the wheel."

Chicago right-hander Matt Garza allowed a season-high 10 hits over 6 2/3 innings, but held the NL's highest scoring offense to two runs while improving to 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA in his last six starts. With a handful of scouts from several contenders watching his every move, he struck out four and walked two.

"He's a good pitcher," said St. Louis center fielder Jon Jay, who tied a career high with four hits. "He's had his battles with his health, but when he's healthy, he's one of the best guys out there."

Garza's hot stretch has made him one of the top names on the market ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. But he also is eligible for free agency after the season, adding a tricky element to the negotiations between any interested team and a Cubs franchise looking for more top-level prospects for its rebuilding project.

"You get caught up in it, but I've been through it so much that I'm just oblivious to it `til something happens," Garza said. "It's stressful, but at the same time you know I have a great outlet: I get to pitch every five days."

The Cardinals played without outfielder Matt Holliday, who left Thursday's night's 3-0 loss to Chicago due to tightness in his right hamstring. All-Star catcher Yadier Molina was out of the starting lineup on his 31st birthday, but he hit for Rob Johnson in the eighth and stayed in the game.

Molina reached on an error by right fielder Julio Borbon, loading the bases with one out. Matt Carpenter hit a sacrifice fly, trimming the Cubs' lead to 6-3, but James Russell got Daniel Descalso to fly out to end the inning.

Kevin Gregg allowed Jay's two-out RBI single in the ninth before retiring Pete Kozma with runners on the corners for his 17th save in 19 chances.

"They were right there in a game that looked like it was going to get out of control," Matheny said. "It was a tough one but I imagine people are tired of hearing me say we keep fighting but I'm not tired of saying it because it's true."

Alfonso Soriano drove Lynn's first pitch of the third over the wall in center field for his 16th homer, extending the lead to 4-1. The slugger went 2 for 5 and is batting .350 (21 for 60) with nine homers and 19 RBIs in his last 15 games, increasing the likelihood that he could be dealt in the next couple weeks.

"When he's getting these mistakes, he's putting good swings on them and doing a good job at the plate," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said.

Garza (6-1) escaped a jam in the fourth and was in control until the Cardinals chased him with three hits in the seventh, including Allen Craig's run-scoring single.

Garza received a standing ovation from the crowd of 42,240 as he trudged off the mound following Craig's hit, but the pitcher slammed his glove on his right leg as he made his way to the dugout, upset with the hit by his last batter.

Matt Guerrier came in with two runners on and got Matt Adams to fly out to end the inning.

"We turned the corner. We're playing great baseball right now," Garza said after Chicago won for the sixth time in eight games. "We're coming up with some clutch hits and making great plays in tough situations. You can see growth, and it's awesome."