ST. LOUIS (AP) - Adam Wainwright posted his 19th win, pitching a shutout Wednesday night as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 to hold their 2½-game edge in the NL Central.
Wainwright (19-9) worked around seven hits and tied for the major league lead in wins and shutouts.
St. Louis has won four of five and kept its advantage over second-place Pittsburgh. Milwaukee dropped 2 1/2 games behind the Pirates for the second NL wild-card spot.
Mike Fiers (6-3) held the Cardinals hitless until Wainwright singled up the middle with two outs in the sixth. It was Fiers' first start since beaning Miami's Giancarlo Stanton last week, ending his season.
Wainwright struck out seven and walked two in his ninth career shutout. He has thrown three shutouts this year, matching Detroit's Rick Porcello and Miami's Henderson Alvarez for most in the majors.
Wainwright and Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw are atop the majors in wins.
This was the Cardinals' 21st shutout of the season, their most since 1968 when Bob Gibson and the rest of the staff had 30.
Fiers gave up one earned run and three hits in seven innings.
The Cardinals broke through in the seventh. After hit a drive that went about 3 feet wide of the foul pole, Matt Holliday walked with one out and reached third on Matt Adams' single, continuing home when Gold Glove center fielder Carlos Gomez slipped and mishandled the hit for an error.
Jhonny Peralta singled home Adams.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha, whose last start was skipped after he struggled in his return from a shoulder injury, is scheduled to start Saturday against Cincinnati. In two starts this month, he pitched seven innings and had a 7.71 ERA. Wacha threw his third bullpen session since his last start on Wednesday and did enough to convince manager Mike Matheny he was ready.
UP NEXT
Brewers: Kyle Lohse (12-9, 3.81 ERA) pitches Thursday night against the Cardinals. He has lost five of his past six decisions, including twice to St. Louis. In those two losses, in which he lasted four innings both times, Lohse gave up 14 runs on 13 hits, including four homers.
Cardinals: Shelby Miller (10-9, 3.75) has given up one earned run over 20 innings in three starts this month. He has won his past two decisions, following four consecutive no decisions. Miller won both of his starts against Milwaukee this season, giving up four runs in 12 innings.
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