Adam Wainwright goes the distance for a Cards win

No need for Felipe Lopez or Joe Mather tonight — or anyone in relief for that matter.

A night after the 20 inning marathon, Adam Wainwright gave the bullpen some much needed rest and led the Cardinals to a 5-3 victory. He went the full nine innings, gave up three runs (2 ER) and struck out nine. After a rough start that was aided by a freak error when Wainwright slipped on the “chalk” circling home plate, Waino settled in for a dominant performance. In the final seven innings he allowed one hit and left the Mets bats frustrated for another night.

His stuff didn’t look quite as sharp, but he pitched brilliantly for the win. Wainwright also came through with the bat to ensure that there would be no extra inning repeat. In the bottom of the eighth, he roped a double down the left field line and later scored on Ryan Ludwick’s first home run of the season. As much fun as it was last night, nine innings was plenty Sunday. He proceeded to blow through the ninth to put the final zero on the board.

All five runs for the Cards came on home runs. First, Colby Rasmus went yard to tie things up in the fifth. And Ludwick came through in the clutch to finish it off. It was a good win to bounce back from the tough loss in 20 innings last night.

St. Louis looks comfortable as a team right now and should only grow as the summer heats up.

Wainwright will continue to develop, too. A scary thought for the rest of the National League in this young season.