Albert Pujols hit career homer No. 693 leading off the seventh inning, and Jordan Montgomery pitched a complete game one-hitter and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Monday for their season-high eighth straight victory.
That one run was all Montgomery (7-3) needed. The left-hander struck out seven and walked none in his first career complete game, improving to 4-0 with a sparkling 0.35 ERA in four starts since he was acquired in an Aug. 2 trade with the New York Yankees.
The Brewers beat the Dodgers 4-0, so the Cardinals maintain their five game lead in the division.
The teams play a split doubleheader Tuesday. Adam Wainwright (9-8, 3.11 ERA) starts the opener for St. Louis, 12:25 with the pregame and the first pitch at 1:20. Jake Woodford (2-0, 2.66 ERA) takes the mound for the second game, 6:10 with the pregame and the first pitch at 7:05, both games on KIRX.
LHP Steven Matz (left MCL tear) is slated to throw another side session on Wednesday, Oliver Marmol said he got a positive report on Jack Flaherty‘s third rehab start on Sunday. Flaherty, who is coming back from a strained right shoulder, threw four innings of one-run ball for Double-A Springfield. Flaherty will make another rehab start with Triple-A Memphis on Friday, going up to about 80 pitches.