s quite disappointing. Aimee Willmott is all smiles after winnin

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals are feeling as if it is September.That means different things to the clubs, which meet Tuesday in the middle game of a three-game series at PNC Park.The Cardinals blistered the Pirates 12-6 in the series opener Monday, inching themselves closer to a playoff spot, while Pittsburgh lost for a season-worst seventh game in a row and might be seeing the possibility of the postseason slipping away.Pittsburgh is 4 1/2 games behind St. Louis, which sits in the second National League wild-card spot and has a chance to overtake the San Francisco Giants for home-field advantage in the wild-card game.Its a big one, a big win against a very tough team in a tough place to win here in Pittsburgh. Well take it, man, said St. Louis starter and winner Monday, Adam Wainwright. Well take it and well move on to the next one.Cardinals manager Mike Matheny had such a good time watching his club produce on offense Monday that the nearly 3 1/2-hour game flew by.Were scoring, I dont care how long we stay out there, said Matheny, whose team has won two games in a row following a three-game losing streak during which St. Louis scored just four runs. I just like watching guys get into a good place offensively.Offense has been just one of the problems for Pittsburgh.While starting pitching has been mostly a strength with the bullpen inconsistent, the Pirates had their rookie starter, Chad Kuhl, knocked out after two innings Monday, and the bullpen wasnt a lot better.In addition, the Pirates are struggling to score. Their six runs Monday was their most in seven games. They have been shut out in three of their past six games.Were trying to figure ourselves out and get out of this and get back to playing baseball the way we want to play, Pittsburgh shortstop Jordy Mercer said. We just have to keep going. Every day is a new day, a new start.I dont know the reason for it. We just havent played the baseball we want to play.Manager Clint Hurdle, who heard the home fans boo loudly at times Monday, is keeping his chin up.Youve got to fight every day for success, he said, and he believes his players are still willing to do that.I think theyre realistic about it, Hurdle said. There comes a point in time you play at this level, honest self-evaluation plays a part of it. Its not just a trend. Its not just a cycle. Youve got to find ways to get better and win.Guys are showing up and playing. Sometimes you just dont play as well as you need to play to win a game.St. Louis right-hander Luke Weaver (1-2, 3.86 ERA) is scheduled to make his fifth major league start Tuesday against Pittsburgh. He has 17 strikeouts over his past two starts. Weaver has never faced the Pirates.Pittsburgh will counter with veteran right-hander Ryan Vogelsong (3-4, 3.56 ERA). He is 2/3 with a 3.44 ERA in six starts since being reinstated from the disabled list after surgery for facial fractures.Vogelsongs lone appearance against St. Louis this year came in relief, when he allowed two hits and a walk but no runs in one-third of an inning on May 8. For his career against the Cardinals, Vogelsong is 3-7 with a 5.75 ERA in 22 games (11 starts). Chris Silva Jersey . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. Udonis Haslem Heat Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. https://www.heatlockerroom.com/Dwyane-Wade-City-Edition-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Dion Waiters Jersey . By having more great seasons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday. Glen Rice Jersey . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum.Max Litchfield has set himself a medal target after qualifying for the Rio Olympics by winning his first British title. The 21-year-old City of Sheffield swimmer recorded a time of 4:12.05 to clinch the mens 400m individual medley on day three at the British Swimming Championships in Glasgow - which double as Great Britains Olympic trials.That was inside the qualifying standard of 04:12.08 and Litchfield immediately set himself the target of going a few seconds quicker. I have dreamed of this day for years and years, he said afterwards, I always said when I was younger that I would make that Olympic team and that has become a real experience since then.It is a bit weird really but I am really, really happy.I have made the team now and, come Rio, if I get the chance to go there then obviously we can look to make the final and then kick on and get a medal.There is no reason why I cant. 4:08 won the worlds (World Championships) last year so there is no reason why I cant drop another few seconds. Fran Halsall was disappointed despite winning the Womens 50m Freestyle There were mixed feelings, however, for several other title winners who failed to meet the Rio qualifying times, including Fran Halsall and Aimee Wilmott.Halsall stormed to the 50m freestyle title in 24.48 but was shy of the qualifying time of 24.37.The 26-year-old Loughborough University swimmer said: Trials are hardd for me, it is me against myself.ddddddddddddI have been doing really well, training has been going well and to come here and only swim that time is quite disappointing. Aimee Willmott is all smiles after winning the Womens 200m Butterfly Wilmott, the 23-year-old from Middlesbrough who competed at the 2012 Olympics, won the Womens Open 200m butterfly with a time of 2:08.82, outside the Rio qualifying time of 02.06.51.Jazz Carlin won the womens 800m freestyle in 08:27.49 but was more than four seconds outside the Rio benchmark.The Welsh swimmer, who won 200m freestyle gold on Monday and will race again in the 400m later in the week, said: It is difficult. I want to be at my best and get on that Olympic team.It has been a bit of a tussle for a couple of weeks. I have really put a lot of pressure on myself to not miss out on the Olympics, four years ago it was heart-breaking for me.Duncan Scott shocked himself when he won British gold for the first time in the Mens Open 100m freestyle, breaking a Scottish record he had broken earlier in the qualifiers.Scott finished ahead of Englishman Ben Proud in the final in a time of 48.66, albeit outside the Olympic qualifying time of 48.16.It was a shock to me. But Im absolutely delighted, the 18-year-old University of Stirling swimmer said.Its my first full year at Stirling and its showing. Its a great facility and a great place to train. ' ' '