Cardinals Fall 5 1/2 Out

The Cardinals aren’t out of the playoff race, but they certainly didn’t help themselves any this weekend. Their 4-1 loss on Sunday to the Astros ended a sweep and put them five-and-a-half games out in the National League Central. They stand four-and-a-half out of the wild card race. Dan Haren lasted 3 2/3 innings allowing four runs off five hits, dropping to 3-7 on the season. Meanwhile Tim Redding held the Cardinals at bay allowing three hits and one walk over six innings. The Astros bullpen was perfect over the last three innings to seal the deal. The Cardinals’ only run came in the fourth inning when Jim Edmonds scored from third on a double play grounder from Scott Rolen.