Daniel Descalso and Allen Craig homered off Cardinals killer Bud Norris, who despite striking out 12, took the loss as St. Louis held on for a 4-3 win at Houston. As big as his homer was earlier in the game, it was Descalso’s arm that saved the game.
In the eighth with the Cardinals up by a run, Houston’s Jason Castro singled with no outs. Pinch-hitter Marwin Gonzalez reached on a bunt single and first baseman Matt Adams’ throw to Descalso covering first was high. Gonzalez went to second as Castro tried to score, but he was thrown out at the plate by Descalso, who chased the ball down the right-field line before throwing a laser to catcher Yadier Molina.
Descalso’s homer came in a three-run first inning and Craig connected in the third to make it 4-1. Craig also had an RBI single in the first.
Adam Wainwright (5-6) allowed seven hits and three runs with eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings to improve to 5-0 in six starts at Minute Maid Park.