Cubs 3, Cardinals 0
Surging Aramis Ramirez drilled his 24th homer, Matt Garza pitched seven shutout innings and the host Chicago Cubs beat archrival St. Louis for the second straight day 3-0 on Saturday.
The loss further crippled the Cardinals’ fading playoff hopes, dropping them 8 ½ games out of the NL Central lead as well as the wild card.
Ramirez’s two-run shot came in a three-run fourth, with Marlon Byrd later delivering an RBI double. Ramirez has 11 hits and five RBIs over his last five games.
Garza (6-9) struck out eight over seven innings, allowing five hits. Carlos Marmol got his 29th save in 37 chances.
The Cubs entered the series 2-7 against the Cardinals, but will go for the sweep Sunday night behind Rodrigo Lopez.
Edwin Jackson (9-9) went seven innings for the Cards after leaving his last start with a hamstring cramp.