ST. LOUIS — Woody Williams, a major reason for the St. Louis Cardinals' playoff appearance last season, finally made a meaningful contribution to their stretch drive this year.

        Williams won for the first time in more than two months in a 3-1 victory over the Reds Tuesday night. Williams (7-4) allowed one run on four hits for his first victory since beating San Diego on July 1.

        It was Williams' second start, both against the Reds, since his second stint on the disabled list this season for a pulled muscle in his left side. He was 7-1 the last two months of 2001 after coming in a trade from the Padres, helping the Cardinals qualify for a wild card berth.

        “It was nice to finally get out there and do something to help the team, rather than what I did last week and obviously just sitting around for seven weeks,” Williams said. “It just seemed like everybody was at their best and that's what we need to do the rest of the way out.”

        Last Thursday at Cincinnati, Williams gave up five runs on eight hits in four innings of a 7-0 loss to Jimmy Haynes in his second-shortest outing of the year.

        Williams has allowed three or fewer runs in 20 of his last 21 starts for a 2.14 ERA during that span.

        Williams won despite being handcuffed at the plate, usually a strength for him. He's under orders not to swing the bat hard and took some feeble cuts, going 0-for-2.

        “That's the hardest thing for me, to go up there and just stand like a statue,” Williams said. “I know in the long run that's what's best for me, and I have to bite the bullet.”

        Notes: Jason Isringhausen, who took a cortisone shot and had an MRI on his shoulder, is expected to be sidelined until the weekend. ... Jason LaRue was robbed of a hit in the second inning when Cardinals 3B Scott Rolen snagged his liner, then picked up the ball when his glove came off and threw him out at first. ... Williams is 8-2 career at Busch Stadium. ... Rolen had two hits and is 6-for-12 lifetime against Haynes.

Cardinals 3, Reds 1 Reds Box, Runs Premium Reds seats not gone Boone, Larson future DP combo? Reds Notebook: Guillen making good impression Cards finally get win from Williams Astros 6, Padres 2 Dodgers 3, Diamondbacks 2 Giants 4, Rockies 2 A's streak good medicine for baseball

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