ST. LOUIS, May 16 (UPI) -- Fernando Vina had three hits and knocked in three runs and Woody Williams pitched eight effective innings Friday night as the St. Louis Cardinals posted a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
It did not look as if Vina would get a chance to have a big night after he was hit with a pitch in the right ankle to start the bottom of the first inning. But after being treated by the trainer, the second baseman stayed in the game.
The Cardinals had to be glad Vina hung around as he stroked an RBI single in the second and a two-run base hit in the sixth, giving the Cardinals a 7-4 lead. He finished three for three and also scored twice.
Williams (5-0) settled down after a shaky start and surrendered four runs and nine hits. The righthander walked three and struck out six in improving to 12-2 lifetitime at Busch Stadium.
Veteran Cal Eldred retired the side in order in the ninth for his second save.
J.D. Drew added a 514-foot two-run homer for the Cardinals, who improved to 21-3 against the Cubs at Busch Stadium dating to the 2000 season.
Clement (2-5) endured his fourth straight loss after getting roughed up for seven runs and eight hits in six innings. He struck out six, walked one and hit three batters.
