Boxscore

The Cardinals (9-4) activated one of their starters from the disabled list prematurely, and they never recovered as they lost to the Giants (5-8).

No, the pitcher wasn’t that one or even that one. It was Joel Pineiro (0-1). Pineiro was terrible, doing the opposite of a quality start by allowing 6 runs in 3 innings. Tim Lincecum (2-0). Brian “Beach Boy” Wilson (S 3) picked up the save.

The Cardinals lead in the NL Central fell to a half game over the Brewers with the loss.

The Cardinals get to defend that lead as the Brewers head to the mountainous Busch Stadium Tuesday in a fight for first. David Bush faces Braden Looper at 7:15pm CDT.

Boxscore

The Astros (5-8) won their first series of the infant season, beating the Marlins (7-5) for the second time in a row.

Wandy Rodriguez (1-0) did his best Roy Oswalt impression by going 7 innings, striking out 1 per inning and allowing the Marlins’ only run. Burke Badenhop (0-1), who’s obviously playing the wrong position with a fantastic last name like that, got the loss in his first start.

The Astros take a day off before taking on the Phillies on tax day at Citizens Day Park. (I wonder if they have an IRS related promotion. Free extension filing, or something.) Shawn Chacon pitches for the ‘Stros, while the Phillies pitcher of choice is Adam Eaton. Gametime is 6:05pm CDT Tuesday.

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The Cubs (7-5), not content with playing extra innings even after all the more than regulation games against the Pirates, decided to play one more against the Phillies (6-7).

Cubs manager Lou Piniella pulled a Larussa and had Carlos Zambrano pinchhit in the 10th. He didn’t get a hit, but apparently, the fierce nature of his moose-like being caused Chase Utley to screw up a throw, which allowed the winning run to score. Now that’s what I call using intangibles.

Kerry Wood (1-0) picked up the win, Rudy Seanez (0-1) got the loss, and Bob Howry (S 1) got the save.

Like everyone else in the Central (except the poor Pirates), the Cubs have Monday off before hosting the Reds on Tuesday. Aaron Harang goes against Ryan Dempster at 8:05pm EDT.

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What do you do if you score 2 runs early but then spot your opponent 6 over the next three innings? If you’re the Brewers (8-4), you take out Jeff Suppan because he’s obviously not getting things done. Then you score 4 in the fourth off the Mets (5-6) to tie it and take the lead with a Rickie Weeks home run in the sixth.

Salomon Torres (2-0) gets the win with Eric Gagne (S 3) picking up his third save. Jorge Sosa (1-1) was tagged with the loss.

The Brewers have a day off before traveling to St. Louis when Dave Bush takes on Braden Looper at 7:15pm CDT on Tuesday.

Boxscore

Reds manager Dusty Baker proved himself right today when, yet again, the base paths were too clogged up for the Reds to score. The Reds left nine runners on base as they lost 1-9 to the Pirates. It was the Pirates’ first series sweep of the year.

Tom Gorzelanny started for the Pirates. He allowed one run (earned) on four hits and four walks through six and a third innings. Ryan Freel knocked in Paul Bako to score the run for the Reds.

Johnny Cueto started for the Reds. Though he allowed five runs (earned) on five hits and a walk in his six innings of work, his ERA remains under 4 at 3.72. Todd Coffey allowed the rest of the Pirates’ runs, giving up four on three hits and a walk in one inning. RBIs for the Buccos went to Luis Rivas, Jason Bay, Ryan Doumit, and Xavier Nady.

The loss brings the Reds’ record to 6-7 and their losing streak to three. After a day off, they take on the Cubs in Chicago on Tuesday.

The win brings the Pirates’ record to 6-6 and their winning streak to three. Tomorrow they travel to LA to take on the Dodgers. Zach Duke starts against Hiroki Kuroda at 10:10pm EDT.