Quade: No yellow-brick road ahead for Cubs' offense

Suddenly, the Mike Quade-led Cubs have run up against a little adversity.

After losing two of three to the Giants and scoring a grand total of 2 runs in the series, they fell 7-1 Friday to the St. Louis Cardinals in a game that was over quickly.

The Cardinals, who cling to life in the NL Central, scored 7 runs over the first 4 innings against Tom Gorzelanny as their own pitcher, Adam Wainwright, won his 20th game of the season.

After the Cubs play the Cardinals, they head to San Diego for four.

"We're not an offensive juggernaut to begin with," said Quade, who is 18-10 as manager. "Now you run into good pitching. We're missing a few players and all the rest of it. This ain't the yellow-brick road, I'm telling you right now. This is going to be a tough task these next few days with the clubs we're playing and the pitching. San Diego's going to run stuff at us that's really good. The veterans know, and the kids are going to find out."

Gorzelanny (7-9) made his first start since Sept. 1 as he returned from a small break of his left pinkie. He lasted just 31/3 innings, giving up 7 hits.

"My bullpen warming up, I felt great," he said. "And I felt strong. I got up in the game and wasn't in a groove and couldn't find it. I was trying to do too much. I felt really strongly warming up that it was going to be a pretty good day. I guess it was the wrong thing to think."

Wainwright improved to 20-11 with a 2.42 ERA.

"My team gave me a beer shower after the game," he said. "The team continues to impress me, continues to make me feel wanted, make me feel at home. There's not a better bunch of guys to share this with.

"It's fun to pitch at Wrigley, always. To beat the Cubs for your 20th win is an extra treat, no doubt."

Byrd injured: Center fielder Marlon Byrd left the game after the third inning, when he bounced a foul ball off his face near his right eye.

The Cubs said he suffered a contusion to the cheekbone and a cut under the eye. The Cubs sent him to Northwestern Memorial Hospital to make sure there was no further damage. Already this week, the Cubs have lost catcher Geovany Soto and outfielder Tyler Colvin to season-ending injuries.

Sight seen: Cubs TV analyst Bob Brenly talked on the field with Cubs general manager Jim Hendry. Brenly is a candidate for the managerial job. There may be word on Brenly's status Saturday.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Bruce Miles' game tracker</p>

<p class="News">Cardinals 7, Cubs 1</p>

<p class="News"><b>Over early:</b> Cubs starter Tom Gorzelanny threw 27 of his 82 pitches in the first inning, when Allen Craig tagged him for a 3-run homer. Gorzelanny gave up 7 hits and 7 runs, walking five and striking out four in 31/3 innings.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Bullpen savers:</b> Young relievers Justin Berg, Scott Maine, Marcos Mateo and James Russell pitched scoreless ball after Gorzelanny exited. They earned praise from manager Mike Quade, who has Andrew Cashner, Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol rested for the weekend. </p>

<p class="News"><b>Twenty-game winner:</b> The Cardinals' Adam Wainwright joined the Phillies Roy Halladay and the Yankees' CC Sabathia as 20-game winners. "It's amazing company," he said. "Two of the best pitchers in this era, really. The last 10 years, it's hard to find two better pitchers than that. I'm very blessed to be in that conversation."</p>