Baltimore manager Buck Showalter argues a replay call and gets kicked out on Sunday. (photo.MLB)
Rookie Kolten Wong had four hits and scored twice, Peter Bourjos homered and St. Louis beat the Orioles 8-3 Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Cardinal pitchers gave up nine home runs in losing the first two games of the series by a collective 22-5 score, but the Cardinals amassed a season-high 17 hits, including 14 singles.
Wong’s four singles tied a career high and raised his batting average to .253. Lance Lynn (12-8) gave up three runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings, only the second time in his last 12 starts that he allowed more than two runs.
On Saturday, John Lackey took the loss. Making his second start since coming from Boston in a July 31 trade, he gave up nine runs and 13 hits in five-plus innings. On Friday, the rotation’s other newest addition didn’t fare any better. Justin Masterson allowed five runs and seven hits in two-plus innings. He also walked three, hit two batters and threw a wild pitch.
The Cardinals lost a game in the NL Central race, falling to two games behind Milwaukee, but hold a one game lead over San Francisco and a half game over Pittsburgh for the top Wild Card spot.
