ST. LOUIS — Adam Wainwright pitched out of two bases-loaded jams and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Arizona 4-2 today to dampen the Diamondbacks' playoff hopes.

The Diamondbacks, who stranded 11 runners, entered the night three games behind first-place Los Angeles in the NL West. The Dodgers played late Wednesday at home against San Diego.

Arizona's Mark Reynolds struck out once to tie the major league record for strikeouts in a season with 199. Philadelphia's Ryan Howard set the mark last season.

Wainwright (11-3) pitched into the seventh inning, allowing seven hits and five walks. Wainwright, 7-1 at home this year, has won his last six decisions and hasn't lost since June 2. He was sidelined from June 8 to Aug. 22 by a middle finger sprain.

Ryan Franklin pitched the ninth for his 17th save in 24 chances.

Arizona rookie Max Scherzer (0-4) pitched for the first time in his hometown and didn't help himself with a two-run throwing error in the second inning. A first-round draft pick in 2006, Scherzer lasted five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs, two earned.

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa loaded up with left-handers, leaving Albert Pujols, Troy Glaus and Ryan Ludwick out of the starting lineup.

In the second, Josh Phelps singled and Mark Johnson walked. Wainwright put down a bunt but Scherzer threw away from second baseman David Eckstein at first, allowing both runners to score for a 2-0 lead.

Arizona got even in the third. Scherzer led off with a walk and went to third on Stephen Drew's double. An RBI single by Chris Young and a double play groundout by Conor Jackson tied it at 2.

The Cardinals went ahead 3-2 in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Cesar Izturis. In the fifth, Adam Kennedy's single scored Aaron Miles for a 4-2 lead.