ST. LOUIS -- Matt Carpenter may be leading the Cardinals' sprint up the standings, but it's been a supporting cast of unlikely contributors filling in the gaps around him as the club continues to surge.
Boosted by a home run from the previously hitless John Gant on Tuesday, the Cardinals ran their season-best winning streak to seven games with a 6-4 victory over the Nationals at Busch Stadium.
One month after initiating a full club makeover by firing their manager, the Cardinals find themselves only one game back of the Phillies, who currently have a hold on the second National League Wild Card spot.