who have dropped six in a row to fall 3 1/2 games behind St

ST. LOUIS -- This time around, Shelby Miller battled for outs. The St. Louis Cardinals rookie right-hander had trouble controlling his fastball, and finishing off hitters. A pitch count headed for triple digits in the sixth inning was the only battle he lost. The 22-year-old Miller followed up his nearly perfect one-hitter with 5 2-3 scoreless innings and the St. Louis Cardinals scored the go-ahead run in the seventh on a wild pitch in a 4-2 victory Wednesday night. "Its not always going to be smooth," said Miller, who threw 96 pitches. "I got away with some mistakes. We won the game, so thats all that matters." Rick Ankiels two-run homer off rookie Seth Maness (3-0) tied it in the top of the seventh and was his first against the team that converted the former left-handed pitcher to an outfielder in 2005. Ankiel has 75 career homers, including six this year. "Its unfortunate we didnt win but for me its a positive, so Im happy about it," Ankiel said. "For me it was just fun to do because it was against that team." Shaun Marcum (0-4) made it out of the fifth for the first time in four starts since beginning the year on the 15-day disabled list and singled twice for his first career multihit game. "Im still not where I want to be," said Marcum, who visited a chiropractor in St. Louis the day before his start. "The important thing is the team, and we lost, so it doesnt matter what I did on the mound." Marcum left the game with two on and two out in the seventh and Scott Rices wild pitch to pinch hitter Ty Wigginton allowed Daniel Descalso to score the go-ahead run. "Didnt even swing," said Wigginton, who ended up getting intentionally walked. "I just watched it slide by." Jon Jay and Tony Cruz had an RBI apiece in the fourth and pinch hitter Yadier Molina added a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth for the Cardinals, who have won 12 of 14 and handed the Mets their sixth straight loss. St. Louis will go for a four-game sweep Thursday with ace Adam Wainwright (5-2, 2.30) facing Jonathan Niese (2-4, 5.93). Rice bounced a 1-0 pitch past catcher John Buck. The lefty took the loss his previous two appearances, including the series opener when Wigginton scored from second on Matt Carpenters infield hit off Rices leg. Miller laboured five days after retiring the final 27 batters with 13 strikeouts in a one-hitter over Colorado and as in some earlier starts had trouble finishing off hitters. John Buck coaxed a 12-pitch walk on a full count, fouling off six pitches after the count was 2-2. "Its not like hes erratic and not efficient," manager Mike Matheny said. "Hes challenging guys and theyre getting a piece of it." On Wednesday, he allowed four hits, a walk and a hit batter to lower his ERA to a major-league leading 1.40. Miller had three of his six strikeouts in the first when David Wright bounced a two-out single up the middle to end the streak at 29 in a row and then stole second before Ike Davis fanned to end the inning. Marcum entered with an 8.59 ERA after getting a late start due to biceps tendinitis and has lost four consecutive decisions for the first time in his career. He retired the side in order on just eight pitches followed by a 10-pitch second, and retired 10 of the first 11 hitters. Miller went to a full count for the fourth time in six hitters before walking Buck with one out in the second, and Ankiel fisted a bloop single to shallow centre. But Buck ran the Mets out of the inning when he was easily doubled off second on Ruben Tejadas liner to centre. Cruz made just his second start of the season and first since April 19 at the backup catcher behind Molina, who was 0 for 11 the previous three games. Molina called Millers gem on Friday, in which the 22-year-old right-hander allowed a leadoff single to Eric Young and then retired the final 27. The Cardinals had one hit and one runner in scoring position the first three innings against Marcum before breaking through with three hits and a botched rundown play to take a 2-0 lead in the fourth. The Mets allowed a run and cut off the relay after Jays two-out RBI double to the gap in right-centre. Jay was marooned between bases when Wright charged hard from third to make the tag and the ball bounced out of his glove. Jay ended up at third and scored on a single by Cruz. Edward Mujica worked the ninth for his 11th save. Notes: Miller had a major-league best 1.39 ERA his first eight career starts, counting one in 2012, bettering Milo Candinis 1.09 ERA in 1943 for the Washington Senators. Its the Cardinals best, topping Howie Pollets 2.09 start in 1941. . ... Marlon Byrd homered and doubled Tuesday for his first multihit game since Aug. 7, 2011, with the Cubs against Cincinnati. ... Rookie John Gast was the first Cardinals lefty starter to make his debut as a starter since Ankiel broke in at age 20 in August 1999 and the first to win in his debut since Allen Watson beat the Braves on July 8, 1993. Josh Manson Jersey . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. Samuel Pahlsson Jersey . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. https://www.cheapducks.com/317c-george-parros-jersey-ducks.html . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. Dave Karpa Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Ryan Getzlaf Jersey . -- Aaron Murray threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another score, and led No. A look at whats happening all around the majors Monday:---MATINEE IDOLSThe holiday schedule on Labor Day includes only one true night game, with the other 14 all scheduled to start by late afternoon local time. A pair of prominent pitchers return to their old homes, with Zack Greinke (12-4) going for Arizona at Dodger Stadium and Drew Pomeranz (10-10 overall) up for Boston in San Diego.HOMECOMING IN THE QUEEN CITYAll-Star outfielder Jay Bruce returns to Cincinnati for the first time since the Reds sent him to the Mets at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. Before the game, the Reds plan to honor Bruce and his wife, Hannah, on the field. After a slow start in New York, Bruce has come on lately. He has two homers and four RBI in his last three games. Robert Stephenson (2-0) attempts to become the first Reds pitcher since Wayne Simpson in 1970 to win his first three major league starts.BACK IN TOP FORM?Longtime aces Felix Hernandez (9-5, 3.48 ERA) and Cole Hamels (14-4, 2.91) look to rebound from lackluster outings when Seattle opens a series against Texas. Hernandez allowed six earned runs over four innings in a loss to the Rangers last Wednesday, while Hamels gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Mariners on Tuesday.LETS GET WILDCardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright (9-8) tries to snap his four-game losing streak at Pittsburgh in the opener of a three-game series with NL wild-card implications. Rookie right-hander Chad Kuhl (3-2, 3.70) goes for the slumping Pirates (67-67), who have dropped six in a row to fall 3 1/2 games behind St.dddddddddddd Louis in the race for the leagues final playoff spot.YOU AGAINTigers right-hander Justin Verlander (14-7, 3.30 ERA) and White Sox lefty Chris Sale (15-7, 3.10) square off for the second time in six days. They handed a tie game to the bullpens last Wednesday, when Detroit won 3-2 on Tyler Collins sacrifice fly in the ninth. Verlander is 7-1 with a 2.05 ERA in his last 12 starts, while Sale is 1-5 over his past nine despite a 3.43 ERA.GOING TO THE BULLPENThe first-place Indians, who have won six straight, will lean on their bullpen when they open a four-game series with Houston. Right-hander Mike Clevinger will start but is expected to go only a couple of innings in what will be a game pitched by relievers. Right-hander Josh Tomlin, removed from the rotation, could also be used early in the game.BRAVE NEW DAYPerhaps few folks have noticed, but the last-place Braves (54-83) have won six in a row and eight of 10 heading into their series at Washington. Center fielder Ender Inciarte has a 15-game hitting streak, and slugger Freddie Freeman has reached base safely in 27 straight games -- the longest active streak in the majors. Next up, Max Scherzer (15-7, 2.89 ERA) and the NL East-leading Nationals. Scherzers start was bumped back a day to give him extra rest. ' ' '