Houston shortstop Angel Sanchez drove in six runs as each Cardinals pitcher got ripped by the red hot Astros in a lopsided 18-4 loss. The Cardinals remain just a half game behind the Reds.
Things got so bad, Aaron Miles was called on to pitch the ninth and he was the only Cardinal to take the mound and not give up a run. Starter Jaime Garcia gave up eight runs, four of those earned. Garcia said some of the teammates were telling him that he was tipping his offspeed pitches and manager Tony LaRussa wasn’t sure if that was the case or the face Garcia was grooving pitches over the middle of the plater.
Cardinals comments from Tony LaRussa and Jaime Garcia
The bullpen didn’t do any better.
Mitchell Boggs: One inning, five runs on four hits.
Dennys Reyes: One inning, three runs, three hits, a walk.
Mike McDougal: One inning, two runs, three hits, two walks.
The two bright spots for the Cardinals was Matt Holliday’s 21st home run and Colby Rasmus’ 18th homer. Rasmus has bumped his average up from .266 to .280 in seven games. Over that stretch, he’s batting .400 going 10 of 25 with two homers.
