Jon Jay is making the supreme look routine when it comes to catches in center field.

He’s also getting the job done at the plate lately.

And last night, he just kept on doing what he’s been doing — driving in the tying run in the fifth inning, scoring the go-ahead run a few moments later on a heads-up play and once again making an outstanding, highlight-reel catch. (Click for the video evidence — worth watching again even if you saw the game.)

And Jon’s night combined with good pitching yet again by Kyle Lohse led to a 4-2 St. Louis Cardinals victory over the Houston Astros.

The win, in addition to the San Diego Padres sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates, mean the Cards are atop the wild card standings with the Atlanta Braves this morning. Plus, though less important given the distance from first place, they’ve also leap-frogged over the Pirates into second in the NL Central.

Yay indeed!

The win was No. 13 on the season for K-Lo, and his seventh straight decision. He allowed both Astros runs, one on a Brett Wallace homer in the first and the other on a Chris Snyder homer in the third. He only allowed one other hit and struck out three in seven innings pitched.

Then Mitchell Boggs did his thing in the eighth and Jason Motte in the ninth for his 29th save. Neither allowed a hit, each struck out one and Boggs also walked one.

Back to the offense: THE CARDINALS SCORED OFF BUD NORRIS! THE CARDINALS BEAT BUD NORRIS! CAN WE STOP THE #BUDCHUCK THING YET?

Ahem.

The Cardinals scored their first run in the second inning, after Allen Craig singled to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games and Daniel Descalso doubled him in. Matt Holliday had two hits, including a double, and scored the fourth run on a Yadier Molina single. Carlos Beltran also doubled, after having a cortisone shot in his left hand.

All in all, a nice win — because what win isn’t? — on a night when they were able to gain ground in the wild card.

This afternoon, the Cards will go for the sweep at 12:45 p.m. with Jake Westbrook facing Dallas Keuchel.

In other news, you never know what will appear in a Cardinals Google Alert email. Yesterday it was this: Yadier Molina has purchased a mansion in Jupiter, Fla., for $7.15 million. There are pictures. Of course it’s gorgeous. That kitchen is amazing.

Did you catch the latest Bandits Buzz feature by Tara, this time on Nick Martini? Find that here. At a jersey auction a couple weeks ago, the announcer made the point of mentioning that Martini always gets the biggest cheer of any Bandit when he comes up to bat. Hmmm, wonder why?


Christine Coleman is the senior St. Louis Cardinals reporter for Aaron Miles’ Fastball. Follow her on Twitter, @CColeman802, or email aaronmilesfastball@gmail.com. Also follow @AMilesFastball for the latest updates.