From third base, Willson Contreras raised four fingers toward the Cardinals’ dugout.

The meaning was clear.

The Athletics, having just narrowed the Cardinals’ lead down to two runs, walked Lars Nootbaar ahead of Contreras in the eighth inning Wednesday to get the matchup they preferred for right-hander Tyler Ferguson. That brought Contreras to the plate with two teammates on base, and five pitches later he stung the Athletics for a two-run triple. Contreras’ four-finger salute to his teammates was for the four fingers waved for an intentional walk.

It could also have been for his RBIs.

Contreras collected four RBIs on hits that Athletics’ outfielder had difficulties tracking and sent the Cardinals to a 5-1 victory at Busch Stadium. While still awaiting word from Major League Baseball a

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