Jedd Gyorko. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Jedd Gyorko launched a three-run homer during a four-run sixth inning that broke a 4-4 tie to help lead the Cardinals past the Astros 8-5 at Minute Maid Park. Tommy Pham hit a game-tying two-run homer in the fifth.
After the Redbirds, jumped out to a 2-0 lead, starter Jaime Garcia struggled giving up five runs in five innings. He picked up his 10th win over the year. Seung Hwan Oh closed it out for his 12th save.
Gyorko has 11 of his 18 homers since July 18, including three in his past four games. It’s helped keep St. Louis in the NL wild-card race with a one-game lead over Pittsburgh and Miami despite injuries to top hitters like Matt Carpenter and Aledmys Diaz.
Matt Holliday. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Holliday will have surgery today on his broken right thumb. He’s hopeful the surgery will give him a shot to return this season. Despite batting .242, Holliday is second on the Cardinals with 19 home runs and 60 RBI this season.
Reliever Seth Maness is back on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. The Cards have recalled Sam Tuivailala.
The Cardinals close out their brief two-game series with the Astros this afternoon. Carlos Martinez 10-7 faces Houston’s Doug Fister, 11-and-7. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m.
Central Division race:
Javier Baez hit a two-run homer as the Cubs beat the Brewers 4-1 to sweep a day-night doubleheader at Wrigley Field. Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras also had RBIs who won the opener 4-0. Aroldis Chapman notched his sixth save.
Wild Card race:
The Pirates stayed hot with a 4-3 win against the Giants. The Pirates are 8-and-3 in its last 11.
The Reds scored five in the first inning on their way to a 6-3 win over the Marlins at Great American Ball Park.
