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CHC@STL: Westbrook shuts down Cubs, allows one run

Skip Schumaker came off the disabled list with a bang Friday night -- unfortunately, it wasn't the type of bang that any Cardinals fan wanted to see.

Schumaker left the game after slamming into the outfield wall in the first inning, but as it turns out, Schumaker just had the wind knocked out of him and could be back in the lineup as early as Saturday. That would be a welcome treat for the Cardinals, considering Schumaker was only called up from his rehab start because of injuries to Jon Jay and Lance Berkman.

"I should be all right. You don't want to get your rib cage rattled coming off an oblique injury," Schumaker said after Friday's 4-1 win. "It wasn't ideal, that's for sure.

"I'm just glad we won the game and that wasn't the run that cost us the game. Hopefully it's not a huge deal."

Even with the rash of injuries, though, the Cardinals find themselves atop the National League Central, thanks in large part to their starting pitching. Surprisingly, that pitching hasn't come from Chris Carpenter or Adam Wainwright, but instead from guys like Lance Lynn and Saturday's starter, Jake Westbrook.

"So far, it's been a pretty good couple starts," said Westbrook, who is 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA through two starts. "I'm feeling pretty good. I'm trying to be as consistent as I can possibly be. Hopefully I can continue to be aggressive."

Tarnishing Westbrook's sub-1.00 ERA won't be an easy task for the Pirates, considering Pittsburgh is averaging just 2.1 runs per game so far.

The Pirates were limited to just one run again Friday night, marking the sixth time in 13 games they have been held to one run or fewer. At this point, the offensive woes are starting to shift from early-season slump to record bad.

Their 84 hits are just one shy of a franchise record set in 1926 for fewest hits ever through 13 games. As for the league-low 23 RBIs, that number matches the 1955 club's franchise record for fewest in that same span.

Pirates starter Kevin Correia was scratched because of discomfort in his left side. A.J. Burnett, sidelined since Spring Training with a fractured orbital bone, will make tonight's start in his place. Burnett had been scheduled to make a rehab start with Double-A Altoona before his activation.

So far, Burnett's numbers have been less than impressive. He posted a 12.79 ERA in two losses with Class A Bradenton before allowing five runs on seven hits in four innings for Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said they would like to see Burnett get as close to 100 pitches as possible on Saturday.

Cardinals: Jay likely to avoid DL
Despite injuring his shoulder crashing into the wall Thursday -- much like his replacement did Friday night -- center fielder Jon Jay is expected to avoid a stint on the disabled list.

Jay didn't participate in any on-field activities prior to Friday's series opener, but said he hopes to take some swings and start throwing again on Saturday.

"Today is the day after and that's usually when you're sore the most," Jay said before Friday's game.

Worth noting
• Since 2000, the Cardinals have won all but one season series against the Pirates with the lone loss coming in '08. St. Louis is 123-69 against the Pirates during that span, including a better record at Pittsburgh (64-35) than at home (59-34).

• Alex Presley's leadoff inside-the-park home run Friday was the Pirates' first leadoff inside-the-parker since Omar Moreno did it in 1980.

Freddy Sanchez was the last Pirate to hit one -- against the Astros on July 21, 2008. It was the first inside-the-yard homer at PNC Park since Jack Wilson turned the trick on July 2, 2004, against Milwaukee.

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