=== St. Louis Cardinals Team Report - June 29 ===

(My Sportsbook) - Chris Carpenter tries for his ninth win of the season tonight, as the Cardinals look to rebound from a tough defeat last night as they resume a three-game series versus the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Carpenter threw eight shutout innings in a win against the Cubs last Thursday as he gave up seven hits, walked one and tied a season-high with nine strikeouts. His lone career outing against the Pirates came on June 2 when he fanned nine over seven frames without allowing a walk and surrendered three runs in a 5-3 triumph at PNC Park.

The Cardinals have gone 10-1 in Carpenter's last 11 starts and he is 6-1 in nine road outings this season.

The NL Central-leading Cardinals had their five-game winning streak broken last night, 2-1, despite an incredible pitching performance from Jeff Suppan, who carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning.

However, Craig Wilson and Jason Bay hit back-to-back two-out doubles to tie the game and the Pirates won it on a crazy play in the ninth when Jack Wilson laced a hit down the left field line off Julian Tavarez. Nobody covered second base and first baseman Albert Pujols cut off Ray Lankford's throw and then tried to get Wilson out at third, but the throw sailed wide of the base and into the dugout, allowing Wilson to score.

Tony Womack had an RBI double last night for the Cardinals, who lost for only the third time in their last 14 games. St. Louis enters tonight's action with a 4 1/2 game lead on the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds in the division.

The Cardinals have won four of their last five away games and are a major league-best 26-13 on the road.

St. Louis swept a four-game series at Pittsburgh, May 31 - June 3. The Cardinals are 5-2 versus the Pirates this season and have taken 12 of the last 17 meetings.