"Cardinals right fielder Lance Berkman has a theory, or at least a gripe.

For a second consecutive Saturday, the Cardinals found themselves on the wrong end of a nationally televised afternoon shutout, this time against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a tilt that ended in deep shadows.

Berkman, among the most vocal team members when it comes to playing conditions, complained after a 7-0 loss that game times should be a topic for debate within the game's next collective bargaining agreement.

"It's not even a competition. I don't think either team got a hit after the fifth inning," Berkman said.

The Cardinals actually scraped for three of their seven hits after the fifth inning but failed to break through against Pirates starter Brad Lincoln and relievers Daniel McCutchen and Chris Resop. The Pirates scored once after the fifth inning, a solo tally in the sixth against reliever Mitchell Boggs but none of their 11 hits came after the sixth."