The way the Cardinals have been pitching lately, a seven-run lead should be safe. The Redbirds nearly blew that lead on Friday, but held on for an 8-7 win over the Houston Astros. So Taguchi’s two-run double started a five-run second inning for the Cardinals. St. Louis added three more in the fourth. Mark Grudzielanek smacked a two-run double to center in that inning. But the Astros responded with five runs in the sixth inning. The big blow was a three-run double by Adam Everett. Morgan Ensberg’s solo home run in the seventh inning made it 8-7, but the Cardinals held the Astros scoreless from there. Jason Marquis picked up his third win of the season. The Cardinals are 10-5, and have won seven of eight.
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