Walters silences Pirates in 4-1 win

ST. LOUIS -- P.J. Walters quickly settled into a smooth rhythm against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Walters gave up an infield single to Andrew McCutchen on the first pitch of the game then retired the next 14 batters in leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-1 win Wednesday.

"I wish I could explain to you what he did today," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "The game he pitched against that lineup -- they've been scoring a lot of runs -- was a gem. He's got great guts and a real good feel for pitching."

Walters (2-0) pitched three-hit ball for seven shutout innings. He struck out four and walked one.

"I was able to get ahead in the count," he said. "They were swinging early. That kept the pitch count down."

Walters worked four innings of relief last Thursday in Pittsburgh, where he allowed five runs and seven hits. But he was much sharper in his fourth career start and saved a stressed-out Cardinals bullpen.

"Some of those guys needed some days off," he said. "That's one thing I've struggled with was getting past the fifth inning. I was glad I was able to do that today."

Neil Walker drove in the Pirates' only run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Pittsburgh fell to 16-61 on the road.

"We swung the bat terrible today," Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. "We picked up a little bit late, but it was too late. He made some good pitches, but we didn't do a very good job."

Allen Craig hit a solo home run and Bryan Anderson and Tyler Greene both had two hits and an RBI. Aaron Miles drove in the Cardinals' other run with an RBI single.

The Cardinals started a lineup heavy on September call-ups and reserves after being eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday.

"We were kind of joking about it before the game," said Mark Hamilton, who played in place of Albert Pujols and got his first major league hit. "I know [hitting coach Mark] McGwire was saying, 'We'll see how the Memphis club does today.' But it was good. It kept it light in the clubhouse today."