Wacha suffers first road loss of the season as Cardinals come up short against the Rox

Jon Jay scored the Cardinals first run (photo/MLB)

Michael Wacha, who entered 6-0 away from home with a 1.59 ERA, best in the majors, let a 2-0 lead slip away as the Rockies rallied, then held off the Cardinals in their 4-3 victory in Colorado on Tuesday night.

Nolan Arenado followed Carlos Gonzalez’s sixth-inning single with his 15th homer to tie the game at 2-2.  This was Wacha’s second start in recent weeks, where his game was delayed by rain at the start.  On May 30th, Wacha took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before losing that and the game.  This game started more than an hour later after heavy thunderstorms rolled through.

Tied in the seventh at 2-2, Rox pinch-hitter Wilin Rosario singled off Wacha. One out later, DJ LeMahieu doubled to the center scoring Rosario. Wacha intentionally walked Troy Tulowitzki and was relieved by Randy Choate, who gave up an RBI single to Gonzalez for a 4-2 Colorado lead.

Wacha, now 8-2, matched a career high with 10 strikeouts while allowing the four runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.

The Cardinals gave Wacha a 2-0 lead off Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa.  Jon Jay got to second base when Randal Grichuk was caught in a rundown between second and third on Jay’s fielder’s choice.  Peter Bourjos singled home Jay.  Jhonny Peralta hit his 10th homer, a solo shot in the sixth.

Bourjos then homered in the eighth off reliever Boone Logan, and the Cardinals had the bases loaded with two outs but Yadier Molina flied out to end the inning.