Yadier Molina drove in two runs while Adam Wainwright pitched six solid innings, as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-4, in the opener of a three-game series at PNC Park. Wainwright (10-8) allowed two runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and a walk for the Cardinals, who won their fourth consecutive game. Scott Rolen added two hits and two runs scored in the win. This marked the second four- game win streak of the season for St. Louis, and its first since early April from the 8th through the 14th. Jason Isringhausen tossed a scoreless ninth for his 21st save of the campaign. The Cardinals and Pirates play again tonight at 6:00 and you can hear the game on KSMO Radio.
On Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox sent right-hander Joel Pineiro and cash considerations to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday for a minor league player to be named later. Pineiro was 1-1 with a 5.03 earned run average in 16 games this season for the Red Sox before being designated for assignment on July 23. In his career, which includes 148 starts in 216 appearances, Pineiro is 59-56 with a 4.50 ERA in 1,030 innings. His best season came in 2003 -- his first as a full-time starter -- when he went 16-11 with a 3.78 ERA with 151 strikeouts in 32 games.
Carlos Silva threw eight innings and Torii Hunter homered as the Twins posted their fourth consecutive victory, 5-3 over the Kansas City Royals. Mark Grudzielanek had three hits, including a solo homer, for the Royals, in the second contest of the four-game series. Jason LaRue and Jason Smith also homered for Kansas City, which has lost each of the first two games by a pair of runs. Jorge De La Rosa (8-11) yielded eight hits and five runs in six innings for the Royals. Even though they lost, the Royals ended July with a 13-12 record, marking the first time they have recorded back-to-back winning months since the same two months in the 2003 season. The Royals and Twins play again tonight.
The Atlanta Braves continued to add pieces on Tuesday, as they acquired right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel from the Kansas City Royals for right-hander Kyle Davies. In his first season with the Royals, Dotel recorded a 2-1 mark to go along with 11 saves and a 3.91 earned run average. Davies, meanwhile, was 4-8 this season with a 5.76 ERA in 17 starts for the Braves, but lost five of his last six decisions.
Obituaries [TOP]
Graveside services for Dean Schafer of West Plains, age 72, will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Jadwin Cemetery. Visitation will be this evening from 4:00 to 6:00 at Wilson Mortuary. Memorials may be made to the Riverways Hospice or the Jadwin Cemetery.
Funeral services for Gracie L. Nelson of Salem, age 72, will be held Friday morning at 10:00 at the James & Gahr Chapel. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Funeral services for Lola Ann Diem of Salem, age 93, will be held Friday at 2:00 at the James & Gahr Chapel. Visitation will be Friday from Noon until time of service. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Funeral services for Lillie “Nettie” Halbert of Cherryville, age 91, will be held Friday at 1:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation is Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Interment will be Martin Cemetery in Cherryville.
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