Brett Tomko allowed four runs in six innings of work as the Cardinals lost 7-4 to the Astros. Tomko had a 3-1 lead going into the sixth inning when Lance Berkman and Orlando Merced drove in runs to tie it 3-3. In the seventh, Morgan Ensberg drove in a run with a sacrifice grounder to make it 4-3 Astros. Jeff Kent’s eighth-inning home run gave Houston a 5-3 cushion. The Cards rallied for a run in the bottom of the eight, cutting the lead to one. Esteban Yan, who the Cardinals acquired earlier in the day from Texas, was sent in to pitch in the ninth. His debut was forgettable. He allowed two hits and two runs as the Astros took a 7-4 lead. Tomko was charged with the loss dropping to 2-4. St. Louis and Houston are tied for second place again. Both trail the Cubs by a game and a half.
;
