In a game reminiscent of the 2004 National League Championship Series, the Cardinals and Astros were neck and neck in a pitchers duel until Houston broke free for three runs in the ninth to beat St. Luis 4-1 in Houston.
Julian Tavarez was tagged with all three runs in the ninth and the loss after allowing a two-run triple to Mike Lamb and an RBI single to Willy Taveras. Tavarez left the game and was replaced by Ray King. Fans booed Tavarez as he left the field, remembering the fast ball he threw that went over Jeff Bagwell’s head in Game 4 of the NLCS. He was fined $10,000.
Jason Marquis got the start and pitched well, keeping the Cardinals in the game. He lasted six innings and allowed one run off nine hits and a walk. The Astros out-hit the Cardinals 15-4 on Wednesday. The Cardinals only tally of the day came off the bat of Reggie Sanders, who hit his second home run of the year in the fifth inning.
