St. Louis Cardinals broke a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory against the Chicago Cubs. Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth for his fourth save in as many chances. Isringhausen was helped when pinch-runner Ronny Cedeno was called out at second on a bizarre play for the second out.
With Cedeno running, a 3-2 pitch to Jacque Jones was called a ball but Yadier Molina threw to second and shortstop David Eckstein tagged Jones when he overslid the bag.
Eckstein and LaRussa both argued Jones should be out, and after conferring, the umpires agreed. Matt Murton then popped out to end the game.
Lilly (1-2) shut the defending World Series champs out on three hits for 6 1-3 innings. But after he walked Jim Edmonds with one out in the seventh, Wilson followed with his first homer, a line drive that cleared the left field bleachers for a 2-1 lead.
Lilly gave up four hits and two runs in seven innings.
The Cubs scored in the first on singles by Ryan Theriot, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez.
It marked Chicago’s first run against Looper since 2004. While a reliever with the Cards last season and with the Mets in 2005, Looper had blanked the Cubs for 14 2-3 innings.