News from around the Central:
- In today's edition of Oblique Ouchies: St. Louis shortstop Ryan Theriot's nagging issue with his right oblique muscle kept him out of yesterday's series finale against the Cubs in Chicago. Theriot already missed a few games with the injury earlier this year, but he insists that the pain isn't that bad this time around.
- Former Brewers Nelson Figueroa and Joe Inglett cleared waivers and were outrighted to AAA Oklahoma City by the Astros. Figueroa accepted the assignment, but Inglett has until Saturday to refuse the assignment and elect free agency.
- Albert Pujols sent Cubs fans into a tizzy with his bro-hug with Chicago GM Jim Hendry before game one of the Cardinals series with the Cubs, but both Hendry and Pujols were quick to compose themselves and insist: "Nothing to see here. We're not an item."
- Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was none too pleased when center fielder Andrew McCutchen didn't run out a dropped third strike on Wednesday, and McCutchen found himself on the bench for the start of yesterday's game against the Dodgers.
Yesterday's action:
- One day after being on the wrong side of an 11-4 curbstomping, St. Louis returned the favor with a 9-1 romp over Chicago. The Cards roughed up Cubs starter Casey Coleman, plating five runs in the second inning and driving Coleman from the game after just 4.1 innings. All told, Coleman surrendered nine hits, four walks, and six earnies. John Jay, Colby Rasmus, and Yadier Molina each had three hits for the Cardinals, who clubbed 16 total hits in the win.
- Pittsburgh's game against Los Angeles was rained out; the teams got two innings in, but the heavens opened and the game was called after two hours. No make-up date has been announced.
- Cincinnati, Houston, and Milwaukee all had the day off.
Your updated standings for May 13:
| W | L | GB | Last 10 | Streak | |
| Cardinals | 22 | 16 | -- | 6-4 | W1 |
| Reds | 20 | 17 | 1.5 | 6-4 | L1 |
| Pirates | 18 | 19 | 3.5 | 6-4 | L2 |
| Cubs | 16 | 20 | 5.0 | 4-6 | L1 |
| Brewers | 16 | 21 | 5.5 | 3-7 | L1 |
| Astros | 14 | 23 | 7.5 | 4-6 | W1 |
On tap for tonight:
- Fresh off a series win in Chicago, the Cards move on to Cincinnati. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CDT, with Kyle Lohse (4-2, 2.24) set to take on Bronson Arroyo (3-3, 3.68).
- Pittsburgh travels to Milwaukee for a three-game series, with game one starting at 7:10 p.m. CDT tonight. The Pirates start James McDonald (2-2, 5.65), while the Crew counters with Yovani Gallardo (3-2, 5.11).
- The Cubs welcome San Francisco to town for a 1:20 p.m. CDT matinee affair. The slumping Madison Bumgarner (0-5, 4.21) is on the bump for the Giants, matching up with the Cubs' Ryan Dempster (1-4, 7.20).
- Houston hosts the Mets in a three-game series at Minute Maid Park, starting at 7:05 p.m. CDT tonight. The Mets' Dillon Gee (2-0, 3.80) faces the Astros' Bud Norris (2-2, 3.16).