Cardinals' Adam Wainwright: Takes down Pirates Thursday afternoon

Wainwright (8-5) allowed just one run on five hits Thursday against the Pirates. He walked one and struck out nine in the win.

Wainwright matched his season-high in strikeouts to help the Cardinals avoid a four-game sweep while ending the Pirates' season-best seven-game winning streak. He was a 20-game winner two years ago, but missed most of last season with a torn left Achilles. He is rediscovering his form now, lowering his ERA to 4.49.