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ST. LOUIS -- When it comes to being a hitter, St. Louis rookie Michael Wacha would rather talk about his pitching. Wacha threw seven innings and drove in two runs with a single, helping the Cardinals to a 5-3 victory Thursday over the Chicago Cubs. The 6-foot-6 Wacha (3-3) had lost his last three decisions since an April 13 win over the Cubs. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed seven hits, including a homer, but did not walk a batter. He struck out five. "I was able to pound the strike zone down in the zone and it was pretty effective," Wacha said. "I kept them off-balance, which means its a pretty good day. Its definitely nice to go deep into a ballgame and get a win. It definitely gets your confidence going in the next start thats for sure." Trevor Rosenthal pitched 1 2-3 innings for his 11th save. Rosenthal, who blew a save Tuesday, inherited a one-out, bases-loaded situation and gave up a sacrifice fly, but closed out the inning and retired the side in the ninth. The Cubs have lost nine of their last 11 and are off to the worst start in 39 games (13-26) since 2002. Jason Hammel (4-2) gave up five runs on five hits and two walks in 5 1-3 innings, raising his ERA to 3.06. Hammel had six strikeouts. St. Louis scored four runs in the second inning on Wachas two-run single in between a run-scoring groundout by Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenters RBI double. It was Wachas first hit and RBIs of the season. "Its nice to finally have a batting average," Wacha said. St. Louis manager Mike Matheny noted it was a timely hit. "Mike was good and obviously getting that hit there to drive in a couple runs it was kind of a huge boost to us at that point," Matheny said. With two outs, Hammel might have escaped with little damage but he had to throw a strike on a 3-2 count to Wacha and the bases loaded. "I got behind Wacha with two wild ones," Hammel said. "I came in with a fastball and he hit it." Chicago got two runs back in the fourth on a home run just inside the left-field foul pole by Starlin Castro. He drove in No. 3 hitter Anthony Rizzo, who beat the St. Louis shift to the right side with his second bunt to the left side in two at-bats. Rizzo has three career bunt singles with the Cubs with one coming in his previous 285 games. "If theyre going to give me that, I might as well take it," Rizzo said. "We were able to cash in once. I almost make them pay twice for it. Wacha is a great pitcher but you get him on the stretch and try to get him off his game a little bit. "You know if teams are going to give me that, for the most part, Im going to take it every time." When Rizzo came to bat in the fifth and seventh, St. Louis did not shift. "Rizzo took advantage of the shift until they changed their defence on him," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said. "That led to our first two runs when Starlin drove the ball out of the ballpark. Hes really looking at the game from a lot of different angles. Think about it, youre down four runs and a solo home run is not going to do a whole lot for you." The Cardinals made it 5-2 when Molina lined a 3-2 pitch just inside the line in left for a one-out RBI single. Junior Lake hit a sacrifice fly for a run in the eighth, but Rosenthal got out the jam. St. Louis lost a challenge in the third when Matt Holliday was called out on a close play at first after hitting a grounder to shortstop. The time of the review was 2 minutes, 54 seconds. NOTES: Missouris new basketball coach Kim Anderson threw out the first pitch. "It was an honour to throw the first ball out," he said. "I was nervous out there, but its something I will never forget." ... The Cardinals announced the time for making up Wednesdays game with the Cubs that was rained out. It will be played at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 30 as part of a split doubleheader. The second game will start at 7:15 p.m. instead of 6:15 p.m. ... The Cardinals recalled 2B Kolten Wong on Wednesday from Triple-A Memphis and optioned infielder Greg Garcia back to the club. Wong was optioned April 27 after hitting .225 in 20 games. He hit .344 in 10 games at Memphis. He was not in the starting lineup as he was still battling the effects of a stomach virus. Jeremy Lin Raptors Jersey . The 23-year-old Poland international is back as first choice at Arsenal after losing his regular spot in the team on occasions over the last three seasons. Vince Carter Raptors Jersey . Louis Cardinals continued their offensive tear with a 9-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a four-game series. https://www.raptorsrookiesshop.com/Cameron-Payne-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The Canadian Luge Association officially named seven athletes to the 2014 Olympic team Tuesday. Edney, will lead teenagers John Fennell and Mitchel Malyk into their first Games in mens singles. Tristan Walker and Justin Snith will represent Canada in doubles, while Gough, will be joined by Kimberley McRae in womens singles. Kyle Lowry Raptors Jersey . The Stampeders announced the move on Wednesday. Bell spent his first two CFL seasons with the B. Stanley Johnson Jersey . The Nuggets leading scorer, Lawson is characterized as day to day by the team. Hes averaging 17.9 points and 8.9 assists. Lawson suffered the injury late in Denvers win Sunday at Sacramento.After their Rugby Championship clean sweep New Zealand dominate once more, but theres room for a pair of grizzly props. Census Johnston and Adam Jones rolled back the years last weekend, the former moving across the scrum to loosehead and helping Harlequins to victory over Northampton.Scott Williams and Ian Whitten have forced their way into a backline brimming with All Blacks while young French flanker Sekou Macalou features at blindside after another barnstorming display for Stade Francais. 15. Ben Smith (New Zealand)Ben Smith made 17 carries for 78 metres against the Springboks in a 57-15 win in Durban, but it was his near-perfect work under the high ball that earns him a spot this week. Ben Smith carried the ball 17 times in Durban Allister Coetzee has leaned on South Africas more traditional kicking approach in the last two rounds of the Rugby Championship, but Smith eradicated all threats from half-backs Faf de Klerk and Morne Steyn, and even claimed a few of his own attacking kicks which brought about scores.14. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)After being snubbed by Steve Hansen for last years World Cup squad, Dagg has bounced back to put himself joint-top for tries scored in the 2016 Rugby Championship, with five alongside Ben Smith. Israel Dagg crossed either side of half-time for the All Blacks On Saturday Dagg scored two of those five, carrying the ball 14 times for 91 metres, and beat six defenders along the way.The Crusaders winger was of equal use in defence, turning the ball over three times in open play which halted Springbok attempts to wrestle their way back into the game.13. Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand)Lienert-Brown triggered New Zealands first try in Durban, jinking past Jun de Jongh before drawing three defenders to release Waisake Naholo down the left for Israel Daggs opener. Anton Lienert-Brown caused havoc against a weak South African defence The centre also charged down Pat Lambies kick for the first of Beauden Barretts two tries - the score that started the landslide second-half scoring. Overall the midfielder showed far more poise and game awareness than can normally be expected of someone in his fifth Test.Samu Kerevi is unlucky to miss out here, he had a heavy hand in the Wallabies 33-21 win over the Pumas, but Lienert-Brown edges the Australian.12. Scott Williams (Scarlets)There is intense competition for places in the Wales midfield for the autumn internationals and Williams did his chances no harm with a man-of-the-match display in a 31-27 victory over the Dragons. Scott Williams is pushing hard for a spot in the Welsh midfield next month Williams, who turned 26 on Monday, was excellent with ball in hand, making three breaks and beating six defenders as he carried 12 times for a gain of 68 metres. He also produced some fantastic footwork and offload for Steff Evans second try.11. Ian Whitten (Exeter Chiefs)The Irish winger bagged a brace as the Chiefs came from behind to draw with Gloucester, and it was just rewards for a brilliant all-round performance.Whitten leeched onto Thomas Waldrom to help the No 8 over the line before he profited from Sam Hills excellent break and offload to score on the half-hour. Ian Whitten was heavily involved in Exeters fightback against the Chiefs Another fine offload, this time from Lachlan Turner, saw Whitten spark Exeters fightback from 13 points down, and he also got involved in the driving maul that saw Damian Welch draw them level at the death.Whitten edges out Cian Kelleher and Isa Nacewa, who both scored two tries in their provinces derby wins.10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)Beauden Barrett started his All Blacks career as a utiIlty back but has now made the fly-half jersey his own. Unfortunately for opposition defences, he has carried much of the skills learned out wide into his new role.On Saturday the 25-year-old made the most carries of all the New Zealanders with 20, and made the most metres with ball in hand (124m). His seven defenders beaten was also the best by anyone in his side and he chipped in with two tries. Beauden Barrett was a stand-out performer in a dominant All Blacks side Dan Carter retired last year as World Rugby Player of the Year and will be remembered as one of the games greats, but his shoes have been filled so seamlessly that New Zealand Herald writer Chris Rattue wrote this week that Barretts performances shows how the Dan Carter obsession was actually holding the All Blacks back.9. TJ Perenara (New Zealand)With first-choice scrum-half Aaron Smith sent home in shame after a toilet liaison, TJ Perenara was given consecutive starts for the All Blacks for the first time in his career, and he rose to the challenge. TJ Perenara scored twice against the Boks after taking over from Aaron Smith Aside from keeping the All Blacks ticking on attack and scoring two tries of his own in front of the dejected Springbok fans, Perenara was also solid in defence, turning the ball over four times - the most by any All Black player on the day.Honourable mention to Martin Landajo, who was incredibly influential but in a losing cause at Twickenham.1. Adam Jones (Harlequins)He won 95 caps for Wales at tighthead but Jones was thrown into the deep end on Saturday as he had to play at loosehead against Saints.Jones didnt even know he would be on the bench until the morning of the game when Joe Marler failed a fitness test, and he had to come on after just six minutes when Mark Lambert went off injured. Adam Jones did not know he was playing until the morning of the match The 35-year-old conceded two first-half penalties but won his battle with Kieran Brookes and his replacement, fellow England prop Paul Hill. He drew jubilant roars from the Stoop faithful late on when he won a scrum penalty, allowing Tim Swiel to kick his fourth three-pointer of the second haalf.dddddddddddd2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)Agustin Creevy could easily have taken this position with 18 carries at Twickenham on the back of another tireless Rugby Championship from one of Argentinas toughest campaigners. Dane Coles carried like a back for New Zealand all afternoon However, Dane Coles was once again in the thick of it when the All Blacks were throwing the ball around which is why hes once again made it into the team.The Rugby Championship is home of the hooker, with three of the four nations captained by their No 2, and Coles has been unquestionably the best of the lot in the southern hemisphere in 2016.3. Census Johnston (Toulouse)The veteran tighthead terrorised the Clermont front row on Sunday as Toulouse were narrowly beaten at the Stade Marcel Michelin.Johnston scored the visitors first try following a powerful rolling maul and his strong scrummaging saw Clermont loosehead Etienne Falgoux replaced after 45 minutes, only for his replacement - Thomas Domingo - to be yellow-carded shortly after his introduction for collapsing a scrum. Census Johnston destroyed all before him as Toulouse dominated up front A penalty try shortly followed as Johnston continued to wreak havoc, something that wont have gone unnoticed by the Connacht front row ahead of Saturdays Champions Cup opener.4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)Despite all the attacking options at the disposal of the All Blacks, second rower Brodie Retallick made his way into tied-second place for Springbok defenders beaten over the week. The Chiefs lock beat six South Africans in 14 carries, making 43 metres in the process. Highlights of New Zealands 57-15 thrashing of the Springboks The 25-year-old still performed all his set-piece duties at Kings Park and brought about a turnover, but its his work-rate with the ball that made him World Player of the Year in 2014, and that was the driving force of his contribution against the men in green and gold.5. Maro Itoje (Saracens)With Englands autumn internationals around the corner it will please Eddie Jones to see that Maro Itoje has lost none of the form that saw him rise to prominence in this years Six Nations. Maro Itoje (right) celebrates after Jamie George scored Saracens fourth try against Wasps In a top-of-the-table clash against Wasps on Sunday Itoje put in 16 tackles - the most of any of his team-mates - as Saracens ground out a 30-14 win.He also took charge at the lineout, winning six from the hands of his own throwers, as well as stealing one off the visitors.6. Sekou Macalou (Stade Francais)The 21-year-old flanker was outstanding in Stades derby defeat at Racing. Macalou produced some ferocious hits in defence and forced three turnovers. No 6 Sekou Macalou had a huge game for Stade Francais in Saturdays Paris derby He was just as devastating in attack. He made 61 metres from 13 carries, showing fantastic footwork and pace as he beat six defenders, and he was heavily influential for Julien Arias try just before half-time.7. Liam Gill (Toulon)The former Reds flanker has made an impressive start to his TOP14 career and put in another huge shift in defence as Toulon snatched a 17-17 draw at La Rochelle. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Gill made seven carries and offloaded well in the tackle but it was in defence where he really caught the eye. The 24-year-old led the way with 18 tackles, five more than second-placed Anthony Etrillard, and was a pest at the breakdown.8. Ben Morgan (Gloucester)Billy Vunipola once again impressed for Saracens but fellow England international Morgan gets the nod after he continued his good form at Sandy Park against Exeter.The Gloucester back row worked their socks off, with Morgan making 16 tackles - missing none - and forcing a turnover. Ben Morgan carried well and scored against the Chiefs at Sandy Park He was also the Cherry and Whites primary ball carrier, making 65 metres from 16 carries and beating four defenders, and he supported David Halaifonuas break down the left touchline on 58 minutes to score his sides third try.You can watch Champions Cup Rugby, Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Stuart Barnes talking points Farrell set for Saracens return England, clubs in crunch talks Rugby on Sky ' ' '