
John Lackey still isn't happy about getting pushed back in the rotation. After powering back into the St. Louis postseason pitching picture with 7 2-3 dominant innings in a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night, the veteran right-hander grudgingly admitted extra rest might have been a good thing. ''I definitely felt better than I have in a couple weeks, for sure.'' Randal Grichuk and Matt Holliday hit consecutive homers in the first for the NL Central leaders, who had only five hits but maintained a 2 1-2-game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates with eight games remaining. The Cardinals' magic number is seven for clinching a second straight division title and two over third-place Milwaukee for securing a fourth straight postseason berth.
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