Michael Wacha is now 3-0 (file photo)
Michael Wacha is back. Wacha is now 3-0 after he allowed one run and five hits in seven innings while lowering his ERA to 1.33. He walked two and struck out six as he pitched his team past 2013 Cy Young winner Max Scherzer for a 4-1 Cardinals win. The victory puts the Cardinals up 2.5 ahead of Chicago.
“He was great,” manager Mike Matheny said. “I think he’s doing a nice job of not being distracted by who he’s facing.”
In addition to beating Scherzer, Wacha has twice gone up against Cincinnati ace, Johnny Cueto.
“You know you’re going to have to go out there and try to match zeros against those guys,” Wacha said.
The Cardinals got a run in the first inning off Scherzer and then Matt Adams broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth with a two-out single. Pinch hitter Mark Reynolds doubled home Matt Holliday and then scored himself on an error by pitcher Aaron Barrett.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
W L PCT GB
Cardinals 10 4 .714 –
Chi Cubs 8 7 .533 2.5
Cincinnati 8 8 .500 3.0
Pittsburgh 8 8 .500 3.0
Milwaukee 3 13 .188 8.0
