ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals could use a little nostalgia after a troublesome start to September following a remarkable August. But Sunday night's 5-0 victory over the Dodgers at Busch Stadium wasn't about up-and-coming youth taking the mantle. It came in the form of a dynamic, vintage Adam Wainwright.
The August magic was spent, and after losing four straight at home and coughing up their lead for the second National League Wild Card spot, the Cardinals looked empty. Any chance of salvaging a tie in the standings with the Dodgers depended on Wainwright, a 13-year veteran who spent four months on the disabled list and hadn't recorded a win since April 17.