--LF Chris Duncan, who has bursitis and an infection in his left knee, returned to St. Louis, was examined and then hospitalized. Duncan is likely to miss the weekend series in Houston.

--SS David Eckstein didn't play for the fifth consecutive game as he rested a sore lower back. He may play Friday night in Houston.

--3B Scott Rolen extended his hitting streak to seven games (12-for-23) with a single and a run-scoring double.

--1B Albert Pujols didn't start for the first time in 51 games but played the ninth inning on defense.

--RHP Brad Thompson, who opened the season in the bullpen and gained a rotation role only when RHP Chris Carpenter underwent elbow surgery, tied for second on the staff with four wins by gaining credit for the victory Thursday. RHP Braden Looper has six wins.

--1B Scott Spiezio, who had an allergic reaction to some antibiotics he was taking, started Thursday after missing the previous two games. His single started a two-run eighth inning.

--The Cardinals scored back-to-back wins on the road for the first time since the second week of the season when they won once in Houston and three times in Pittsburgh.

BY THE NUMBERS
3 -- Number of times the Cardinals scored in the first inning in their first 45 games. In that time, they were outscored 33-7.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"We need to play every series like it's the last series of the season, because we're under .500." -- Manager Tony La Russa.

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