Ludwick helps Cardinals to win over Marlins

Ryan Ludwick provided the offense, Todd Wellemeyer made sure the defense didn't have to do much, and together they gave the St. Louis Cardinals plenty of momentum to begin the stretch run. Ludwick hit a two-run homer and a run-scoring double, Wellemeyer pitched three-hit ball into the eighth inning and the Cardinals beat the Florida Marlins 3-0 on Thursday night. The Cardinals headed for a weekend series in Cincinnati having won three of four from the Marlins, who dropped well off the pace of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. St. Louis moved to within three games of Milwaukee in the NL wild-card race, after the Brewers lost 3-2 at San Diego to snap an eight-game winning streak. "Winning three of four ... is huge, especially with Milwaukee losing," Wellemeyer said. "We finally get a game on the Brewers." Wellemeyer... [read full story]