Sean Keeley

Joel Pineiro pitched seven strong as the Cardinals pounded the Astros, 11-2,to maintain a 10-game lead over the Cubs in the N.L. Central and dropped its magic number for clinching to two.

Detroit’s relievers made the eighth inning far more interesting than the Tigers would’ve preferred. In the end the Indians couldn’t get the big hit and Detroit took the first game of the series 3-1.