Andre Pallante turned in an ace performance Monday night, allowing just four hits in his seven innings of work as the St Louis Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates and rookie phenom Paul Skenes 4-0.

Pallante struck out nine to earn his seventh win of the season, posting arguably his best outing of the season. The Cardinals took advantage, with Nolan Arenado getting the Redbirds on the board in the fourth with his RBI single scoring Alec Burleson. Skenes had been called earlier in the inning for a disengagement violation, allowing Burleson to get into scoring position. Skenes finished the night with four hits and a walk allowed in six innings pitched, while striking out seven. The Cardinals went through the Pittsburgh bullpen, scoring off a single in the seventh and a double and sacrifice fly in the eighth.

The Cardinals (75-75) are back at .500, seven games behind the New York Mets in the wild card race. However, Milwaukee’s win over Philadelphia on Monday night still has the Brewers 12 games ahead in the NL Central. A Redbird loss or Milwaukee win would officially eliminate the Cardinals from winning the division title. The Cardinals’ second game against the Pirates is Tuesday evening at 6:45.