Cardinals starter Andy Benes pitched eight solid innings, holding the Mets to two runs and six hits, while notching five strikeouts.

Kile was gone by the fourth inning, and Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan was ejected from the game while removing him.

So is a Cardinal pitching staff that is upstaging the heralded Braves, who have seen Greg Maddux and Glavine beaten in successive games.

San Francisco won with all-around production while the Cardinals were pitching around Bonds.

The Cardinals will pitch their ace, John Tudor, the left-hander who won eight of his last nine decisions during the season.

La Russa was asked how the Cardinals would pitch to Bonds, who was walked a major league-record 198 times this year.

While the Phillies haven't been hitting productively, the Cardinals haven't been pitching effectively.

Cardinals 3, Padres 0 The rookie Alan Benes pitched a six-hitter for his first shutout, and visiting St. Louis won its fifth straight.

The Cardinals, who could have won a berth in the Series in each of the last two games, will pitch Donovan Osborne.

Cardinals 6, Dodgers 0 Rick Sutcliffe pitched a solid seven and two-thirds innings to send visiting St. Louis to victory over Los Angeles.