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CHICAGO -- When St. Louis Cardinals Mike Matheny visited the mound with two out and two on in the seventh inning on Sunday, he had no idea whether he was going to replace starter Adam Wainwright. "I was good to go either way," Matheny said. "I needed to look in his eyes and not hear what he says but see how he says it. Im kind of watching his mannerisms and then I give him a chance to say what he needs to say." Matheny liked what he heard (and saw) and returned to the dugout. Wainwright then got Nate Schierholtz to ground out to complete a strong outing. The right-hander pitched seven scoreless innings and Matt Holliday hit a solo homer to lead the Cardinals to a 1-0 victory and a series win over the Chicago Cubs. Wainwright (13-5) allowed five hits and walked three during his seven innings to take over the Major League lead in wins. It was a far cry from his previous outing when he allowed six runs (four earned) in 4 2-3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays last Tuesday. "The results usually follow my delivery," Wainwright said. "When I control my delivery -- I told you I was gonna get things under wraps -- and get my arm in the right spot, success was following that. "They hit some balls hard, but we played some great defence and made some pitches when we needed to." Matheny had no doubts and said he expected a bounce-back effort before the game. "I dont think thats much of a reach when youre talking about one of the best pitchers in the game," the manager said. "Hes been so consistent. When you have those days, I guess thats a reminder of hard it is to do what he does at the level that he does it. "It was a big game for us. We needed it to happen and he did everything he could." Kevin Siegrist worked the eighth and Trevor Rosenthal pitched the ninth for his 32nd save in 36 chances. Cubs rookie Kyle Hendricks (1-1) allowed just one run on seven hits in 6 1-3 innings. "He works quick," Chicago first baseman Anthony Rizzo said of Hendricks. "The groundballs are nice. The double plays are nice. Its all we can ask from him really, especially two days now where, both games at home, not good days to pitch at Wrigley. He did a really nice job." With the wind blowing out to right field, the conditions seemed ideal for a classic Wrigley Field slugfest -- a feeling seemingly confirmed when Holliday, the third batter of the game, lifted a drive to centre field that landed in the batters eye for a solo homer and a 1-0 Cardinals lead. But thats where the score stayed as the starters took control. The only time Hendricks was close to giving up a run after the first inning came after he was lifted in the seventh inning with a runner on first base and one out. Left-hander Wesley Wright loaded the bases with two out, but got Wainwright to line out softly to first base. Even though a base hit would have broken the game open, Matheny never considered pinch hitting with Wainwright having only thrown 83 pitches to that point. "Its all about pitching at that point," he said. "Were having a hard time getting something going offensively and we can roll the dice -- we have a live bullpen -- but weve got one of the best pitchers in the league on the mound. To me, especially with what his pitch count was, I want him going back on the mound." When asked how long the list is of pitchers he let hit there, Matheny said: "Very short. Maybe one on that list." NOTES: As part of the 100th anniversary celebration of Wrigley Field, both teams wore replica uniforms from 1978. The Cardinals uniforms were only slightly different than ones from today (no belts and pullover jerseys being the main change), but the Cubs wore powder blue pinstripes, which were the road uniforms then. ... The Cardinals are off on Monday, while the Cubs begin a four-game home series with the Colorado Rockies, with LHP Tsuyoshi Wada (0-1, 5.00) facing LHP Yohan Flande (0-2, 7.20). Custom Patriots Jerseys . Browns advice worked. Irving scored 20 points, including seven in the fourth quarter, and Cleveland defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 88-82 Saturday night. Irving made his first shot of the night on a layup a little over three minutes into the game. Trent Brown Patriots Jersey . It is unclear how long Kallstrom, who was brought in to alleviate the teams midfield problems, will be sidelined. Arsenals communications director, Mark Gonnella, says the club decided to proceed with Kallstroms signing despite the injury. http://www.authenticpatriotsfanatic.com/. -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are tightening the race for second place in the Atlantic Division. Danny Shelton Patriots Jersey . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Adrian Clayborn Jersey . TSN2 December 18 Knicks at Bulls 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 December 18 Thunder at Warriors 10:30pm et/7:30pt TSN2 December 21 Pacers at Timberwolves 7pm et/4pm pt. TSN2 December 23 Timberwolves at Cavaliers 7pm et/4pm pt TSN2 December 25 Wizards at Knicks 12pm et/9am pt TSN December 25 Thunder at Spurs 2:30pm et/11:30pt TSN December 25 Cavaliers at Heat 5pm et/2pm pt TSN December 25 Lakers at Bulls 8pm et/5pm pt TSN December 25 Warriors at Clippers 10:30pm et/7:30pt TSN NBA on TSN - January Date Game Time Network January 1 Kings at Timberwolves 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 3 Jazz at Timberwolves 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 5 Nuggets at Timberwolves 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 7 Rockets at Cavaliers 7pm et/4pm pt TSN January 7 Suns at Timberwolves 9:30pm et/6:30 pt. TSN January 9 Bulls at Wizards 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 9 Cavaliers at Warriors 10:30pm et/7:30pt TSN2 January 13 Timberwolves at Pacers 7pm et/4pm pt TSN2 January 15 Thunder at Rockets 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 15 Cavaliers at Lakers 10:30pm et/7:30pt TSN2 January 16 Cavaliers at Clippers 10:30pm et/7:30pt TSN2 January 22 NBA All-Star Selection Show 7pm et/4pm pt TSN2 January 22 Spurs at Bulls 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 22 Nets at Clippers 10:30pm et/7:30pt TSN2 January 25 Heat at Bulls 1pm et/10am pt TSN January 25 Thunder at Cavaliers 3:30pm et/12:30pm pt TSN January 26 Timberwolves at Thunder 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 29 Nuggets at Grizzlies 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 29 Bulls at Lakers 10:30pm et/7:30pt TSN2 NBA on TSN - February Date Game Time Network February 5 Clippers vs.Last weekend was a memorable one in the Premier League, but in between Arsenals collapse at Upton Park and Leicesters latest triumph at the Stadium of Light, there was a significant moment elsewhere that went largely unnoticed, writes Nick Wright. With their 2-1 win over Aston Villa, Bournemouth surpassed the 40-point mark with five games to spare. As they approach the end of their maiden season in the top flight, Eddie Howes side are in 11th place and just three points behind defending champions Chelsea. They are closer to the European places than the relegation zone.Perhaps the greatest testament to the achievement is that nobody is talking about it. Bournemouth were supposed to be on their way back to the Championship by now. Instead, a run of nine wins from 18 games since the start of December has given them the air of seasoned Premier League campaigners. Their survival hasnt looked in doubt for months. Howe hails landmark tally Eddie Howe declared himself delighted to reach the 40-point mark with victory at Aston Villa. And yet the circumstances could hardly have been more challenging. In the space of a few weeks between August and September, months of planning went out the window as club-record signing Tyrone Mings, £7m winger Max Gradel and top scorer Callum Wilson were struck down by knee ligament injuries.It was a nightmare scenario equivalent to Leicester losing Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Christian Fuchs, or Spurs having to cope without Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Danny Rose. But Howe adapted without complaint, and even an eight-game winless run before Christmas wasnt enough to shake Bournemouths spirit. Bournemouths win over Aston Villa took them past the 40-point mark in the Premier League If you look at what theyve done in isolation or compare it to what everybody else has done in this league, it has been quite a remarkable feat, former England striker Luther Blissett, who spent three seasons at Bounemouth between 1988 and 1991, told Sky Sports.When they picked up the injuries they were written off and people were saying they were going to go down. They went through a period where they couldnt buy a victory but they kept plugging away. Youve got to give credit to the manager. He believes in his methods and the players, and they believe in it too.Bournemouths success owes a lot to good coaching and hard work, with Howe demanding maximum dedication and effort from his players at all times. Premier League tracking data shows they cover more distance per game than any other side, while only Liverpool and Tottenham record more high-intensity sprints. Most distance covered - Premier League 2015/16 Team Distance covered per game Bournemouth 117.2km Tottenham 115.9km Liverpool 112.4km West Brom 112.2km Man Utd 111.2km The breathless style is epitomised by midfielder Andrew Surman, who averages 12.1km per game, second only to Liverpools James Milner in the Premier League. All our training is high-intensity, he told the Daily Express in March. The manager has really high standards. He keeps that intensity high, and he expects it in return. If you drop your standards for one day, he is on you.Bournemouth brought in 11 new signings to strengthen their squad over the course of the season, but Howe values togetherness and continuity highly. As such, all seven of their players to have made 30 or more Premier League appearances had a key role in their promotion from the Championship last season, and six of them are British, too. Bournemouths spine The seven Bournemouth players to make 30 or more Premier League appearances are Andrew Surman, Simon Francis, Charlie Daniels, Matt Ritchie, Adam Smith, Dan Gosling and Steve Cook. Hes predominantly got British players there, so for them to be in the position they are is quite a feat, added Blissett. Its become so acceptable to just bring mediocre foreign players in, you forget that we have got very good British-based players here.dddddddddddd Hes given them an opportunity to play in the Premier League and the rewards are obvious.Not every signing that you bring in will be successful. So the more you bring in, the more disharmony you create in the squad, and thats something that never, ever goes away once you have started down that road. He needed to keep that harmony and belief and only bring in players who suited the club, the manager and the style - and hes managed to do that. Hes predominantly got British players there, so for them to be in the position they are is quite a feat. Luther Blissett One of the most impressive aspects of Bournemouths survival is the manner in which they have achieved it. The Cherries won the Championship playing slick, possession-based football, and Howe has stuck to his principles in the top-flight. They rank in the top 10 for passes, possession and chances created, and only Arsenal and Everton have completed more dribbles. Most dribbles completed - Premier League 2015/16 Team Dribbles Arsenal 397 Everton 384 Bournemouth 371 Man City 369 Chelsea 369 Saturdays cleverly worked opener against Aston Villa - where Matt Ritchies drag-back set up Simon Francis from a quickly-taken corner - was an example of Howes ability to innovate, and it is no mean feat to have scored more goals than Manchester United in their first season in the Premier League.You do have to adapt your style a little bit the higher up you go, but I think the ideal behind what youre looking to do should always be the same, says Bissett. If your players are able to cope with continuing what you started, then youve got to let them get on with it. Youve got to show them that belief, and theyve all done that at Bournemouth.They do play decent football and they do knock the ball around, and its good to see that theyve achieved what they have done in that way. Even the games theyve ended up losing have been entertaining. They go out with the intent to attack the opposition and that is a major factor in the success that they have had. Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe gave his post-match thoughts to Sky Sports after beating Aston Villa There have been heavy losses to the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham, but Bournemouth are no pushovers and Howe has shown tactical expertise, too.Along with Arsenal, they are one of only two sides unbeaten in two games against Leicester this season, and with their battling goalless draw at the King Power Stadium in January, they became one of only three sides to stop Claudio Ranieris men from scoring.Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United are among Bournemouths opponents in their final five games of the season, but they can approach the daunting run knowing Premier League status is assured. Their achievements may have passed under the radar, but Howe and his players are exactly where they belong.Luther Blissetts company Bliss8 is powering a new youth academy at non-league side Burnham FC Also See: Howe hails landmark tally Premier League grades ' ' '