For those Cardinal fans who stuck around to brave a strong breeze and temperatures in the 50’s after a two hour rain delay, they were treated to real pitching gem by Braden Looper but the Cardinals still loss 3-2. Looper pitched 7 innings allowing just two hits and a walk. Jason Isringhausen came in to close it in the 9 th and gave up three runs.
With one out in the top of the 9th, Darin Erstad singled and scored on Miguel Tejada’s triple. A sac fly brought in Tejada to tie the game, and then with two outs Carlos Lee hit a solo shot to put the Astros up for good.
In the bottom of the 9th, Brendan Ryan singled, stole second and advanced to third on an out, but was left stranded after Ankiel struck out, Pujols was intentionally walked and Chris Duncan popped up.
The Cardinals had a chance to blow the game open early, leaving the bases loaded in the first and second and only managing two runs, that coming on an infield hit and throwing error by third baseman Jeff Blum off the bat of Adam Kennedy.
Astros starter Shawn Chacon struggled with his control as he walked six over seven innings. The Cardinals left nine men stranded through the first four innings.
Troy Glaus, who manager Tony LaRussa said has been hitting the ball much better, struck out twice with bases loaded; once looking in the first, then swinging in the second. He left the game after that at bat, complaining of impaired vision from a runny eye.
Leave a Reply