Felipe Lopez' two-run single was the big hit in a five-run ninth, but the Cardinals were unable to complete the comeback as they fell to the Cubs 9-7 in the finale of a three-game set at Busch Stadium. Steven Hill added a solo shot in the final frame, while Albert Pujols  hit his 30th homer in the first inning. The Cards trailed at points by scores of 8-1 and 9-2.  Kyle Lohse was the loser, allowing seven runs in just three frames as he fell to 1-and-5. The Cubs capitalized on a six-run fourth inning to take two-of-three in the set.  The Cardinals have tonight off, while the Cubs open a four-game set with the Padres at Wrigley Field. Tom Gorzelanny will toe the rubber in the series opener for Chicago against Kevin Correia. St. Louis will be back in action Tuesday when it hosts Milwaukee to start a two-game set.

Kyle Lohse's return to the rotation was far from successful yesterday. The right-hander was tagged for seven earned runs on six hits and a pair of walks over three innings.  He fell to 1-and-5 as the Cardinals lost 9-7 to the Chicago Cubs.  Loshe was activated off the 60-day disabled list prior to the start. He was shelved in late May to undergo forearm surgery on his pitching arm. Sunday was his first big-league appearance since May 22nd. Over 10 starts this season, he now has a 6.79 ERA. To make room on the roster, the club optioned pitcher Fernando Salas to Triple-A Memphis. He had no record and a 2.51 ERA in 12 relief appearances for the Cardinals this season.

The St. Louis Cardinals placed catcher Jason LaRue on the 15-day disabled list Friday with concussion-like symptoms. LaRue was involved in Tuesday's scuffle against the Reds. X-rays revealed that LaRue does not have any broken bones, though he is still dealing with significant bruising and soreness in his ribs along with the concussion. In 29 games this year, LaRue is batting .196 with two homers and five RBI. To take the spot on the roster, outfielder Nick Stavinoha was recalled from Triple-A  Memphis. In 60 games for the Cardinals this year, he is hitting .258 with two homers and seven RBI.

The Cardinals are back in second-place in the National League Central. The team lost two-of-three this weekend, while the Cincinnati Reds swept their three-game set against the Marlins. That has the Reds back in the division lead by one game.  The Cardinals had taken first place from Cincy last week by sweeping the Reds on the road. Both teams have the day off today.

Sage Rosenfels threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 28-7 victory over the St. Louis Rams in each team's first preseason game on Saturday. Top overall pick Sam Bradford made his Rams debut and completed 6-of-13 passes for 57 yards. Bradford was given one of the richest contracts in league history as a rookie, and it will be up to him to lead the Rams to an improvement on last year's 2-and-14 mark.  Danny Amendola accounted for St. Louis' lone offense with a 93-yard  punt return for a TD in the opening quarter. The Rams hit the road to clash with the Cleveland Browns on Saturday in their next preseason contest.

Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford made his Rams debut Saturday in the team's 28-7 loss to the Vikings at the Edward Jones Dome. The Oklahoma product was 6-of-13 passing for 57 yards and had a passer rating of 58.8.  He was also sacked four times by the Vikings defense.  Bradford was the first overall pick in this year's draft by the Rams and was given one of the richest contracts in league history for a rookie.

Veteran running back Brian Westbrook may be coming to the Rams soon. Reports surfaced over the weekend saying the 30-year-old was looking at signing with St. Louis. However, the "Post-Dispatch" says the Rams front office hadn't heard that.  General manager Billy Devaney did say the team was still looking at Westbrook, and had been in contact with him during the offseason and preseason. The paper says Westbrook is supposed to make his decision today.  The Villanova product played with the Eagles from 2002-09.  Last season, he had 274 yards and one touchdown on 61 attempts.

The New England Patriots have placed  former Rams favorite Torry Holt on injured reserve with a knee injury.  This may mark the end of the road for Holt, who is 34 years old and signed a one-year deal with the Pats back in April. The six-foot, 200-pounder played in 15 games for the Jaguars last season, catching a career-low 51 passes for 722 yards. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection is most notably known for his illustrious 10-year stint with the Rams. The North Carolina State product has amassed 13,382 yards and 74 touchdowns during his career and ranks 11th all-time with 920 receptions.

The offense claimed a 56-48 victory over the defense in the Missouri Tigers first major scrimmage on Saturday morning at Faurot Field in Columbia. A pair of long pass plays, an interception return for a touchdown and a 57-yard field goal highlighted the scrimmage.  Derrick Washington rumbled for 133 yards with a touchdown on seven carries and also caught three passes for 59 yards and a TD.  Blaine Gabbert was 18-of-23 with 162 yards and a score and Jimmy Costello threw a pair of touchdown passes for the Tigers. Mizzou got their first day off from practice on Sunday since camp started on August 5th. They return this morning and are scheduled for two sessions.

Tickets for the Missouri-Kansas Border Showdown at Arrowhead Stadium went on sale to the public Monday morning.This will be the fourth-straight year the teams meet at the venue, and the 119th overall meeting between the teams. Fans will be able to buy tickets at Ticketmaster outlets, as well as online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.  Tickets are also available through the two schools.