MLB: St. Louis 3, Houston 2

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Joel Pineiro gave up two runs in eight innings Wednesday in carrying the St. Louis Cardinals to their fourth straight victory -- 3-2 over Houston.

The Cardinals have won each of Pineiro's last 10 starts and he is 7-0 with a 2.65 ERA during that span. He improved to 13-9 by allowing seven hits and striking out five Wednesday.

St. Louis took command with a three-run first, when Mark DeRosa contributed a two-run double.

After giving up two runs in the fourth, Pineiro allowed only two singles until being relieved in the ninth by Trever Miller. Miller retired leadoff batter Lance Berkman in the ninth and then gave way to Ryan Franklin.

Franklin promptly gave up a double to Carlos Lee, but got the next two batters to collect his 34th save.

The Cardinals, owners of the largest division lead in the majors, saw that advantage remain at nine games over the Chicago Cubs.