[JoseA]

One mistake costly for Lilly, Cubs

Offense only generates one run

Looper gave up one run on five hits and two walks over seven innings, striking out five

CHICAGO -- Preston Wilson hit a two-run homer with one out in the seventh inning Friday to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs and snap a four-game losing streak.

Ted Lilly (1-2) held the Cardinals to four hits over seven innings, but one of those was Wilson's blast, his first, which sailed over the left-field bleachers onto Waveland Avenue. Lilly had walked Jim Edmonds to set up Wilson's homer. Lilly struck out 10 in his last start against the Cincinnati Reds, and fanned six on Friday.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella, getting his first exposure to the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry, now is 0-1 in this series against his childhood friend, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. La Russa also has the edge overall, 44-35, in head-to-head meetings.

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