The Padres were only able to take one out of four from St. Louis as they dropped to second place in the NL West. They lost the lead for the first time since May 6^th on Thursday but were able to regain it on Saturday with a big win on national television. But after dropping their third of four on Sunday, The Pads will head to Los Angeles a half game out of first place. Here is how they fared at Busch Stadium since Thursday.

September 16^th, 2010 Padres 0 Cardinals 4

WP Jake Westbrook (2-3) 8IP 6H 0R 0ER 3BB 3K 0HR

LP Tim Stauffer (4-4) 5IP 6H 4R 4ER 2BB 2K 0HR

The Padres were once again dominated, losing for their ninth straight time in St. Louis 4-0 on Thursday night. Tim Stauffer lost his fourth game of the season, surrendering four runs in just five innings.

Matt Holliday had an RBI single in the first, scoring John Jay for a 1-0 lead. Stauffer could not record an out in the sixth as he was charged with all three runs score that inning.

He gave up a run scoring double to Albert Pujols before being pulled with two men on. Ryan Webb gave up a shallow single allowing both runners to score and St. Louis to take a 4-0 lead.

The loss dropped the Padres out of first for the first time since May 6^th.

September 17^th, 2010 Padres 4 Cardinals 14

WP Kyle Lohse (4-7) 5IP 7H 3R 3ER 1BB 4K 1HR

LP Mat Latos (14-7) 1.33IP 9H 8R 8ER 2BB 1K 0HR

Mat Latos had his worst start of the season, unable to get out of the second inning while adding eight earned runs to his total.

The Padres took a 1-0 lead when Miguel Tejada roped one over the fence in left field in the first inning. But the Cardinals scored three in the first starting with Albert Pujols RBI single.

Will Venable would pull the Padres within one with an RBI single in the second. But that’s as close as the Padres would come.

Latos would be charged with five more runs while recording just one more out.

Yadier Molina led the Cardinals going 4-4 with five runs batted in. Mat Holliday homered and three RBI’s, also.

The Padres lucked out though, as they remained only a half game out of first after the Giants lossed to the Brewers later that night in San Francisco.

September 18^th, 2010 Padres 8 Cardinals 4

WP Mike Adams (4-1) 1.33IP 1H 0R 0ER 1BB 1K 0HR

LP Kyle McClellan (1-4) 1.33IP 4H 4R 4ER 1BB 1K 2HR

Ryan Ludwick had it all laid out in front of him. With two men on in the ninth against his old team, he deposited the ball in the first row beyond the fence to put the Padres ahead and maybe save their season. His 3-run blast broke a 4-4 tie after the Padres blew a two run lead an inning earlier.

Matt Stairs followed with a solo shot of his own. His pinch-hit home run raised to his major league record to 23.

Heath Bell came in and pitched a perftect ninth to finish the game. Though it was not a save situation, Bud Black felt it was necessary for his closer to come in and slam the door.

The emotional win was made all the sweeter when the Giants dropped their second game in a row to the Brewers, letting the Friars regain sole possession of first place just two days after losing it.

September 18^th, 2010 Padres 1 Cardinals 4

WP Adam Wainwright (19-11) 8IP 5H 1R 1ER 3BB 7K 0HR

LP Jon Garland (14-12) 7IP 5H 4R 4ER 3BB 4K 1HR

S Ryan Franklin (25) 1IP 1H 0R 0ER 0BB 2K 0HR

Adam Wainwright dominated the Padres through eight innings to win his 19^th game of the season, and help the Cardinals take the series with their third win at Busch Stadium.

The Padres were unable to score until the eight when Adrian Gonzalez singled in Will Venable.

But the Padres spotted the red birds four runs starting with Matt Holiday’s RBI single in the first. Pedro Feliz would score Albert Pujols with a sacrifice fly before the inning was over.

Colby Rasmus would homer in the sixth ,after Brendan Ryan’s sac fly in the fourth to make it 4-0.

The loss coupled with the Giants 9-2 win over Milwaukee dropped the Padres back in second place before heading out to Los Angeles for three games starting Tuesday.