Jason Simontacchi tossed the first complete game of his major league career as the Cardinals topped the Astros by a count of 3-1 last night at Busch Stadium. Simontacchi held Houston to six hits, striking out five, walking none and improving to 2-3. The Cardinals tie the game at 1-1 when Scott Rolen drove in J.D. Drew with a single in the fourth inning. Miguel Cairo and Drew hit RBI doubles in the fifth inning to make it 3-1. The win moved the Cardinals back into second place by themselves where they trail the Cubs by a game and a half. Some bad news came from the win for St. Louis. Starting center fielder Jim Edmonds left the game after making a diving catch in the second inning, hurting his ribs. He won’t play today as the Cardinals and Astros wrap up the four-game series. St. Louis has won two of the first three.
