The Astros put together a pretty impressive rally, but this time couldn't find the magic to top the Cardinals. St. Louis wins, 6-5.
*J.A. Happ didn't deserve the loss, bouncing back from a rough start to throw 5IP, 5H/2ER, 5K:2BB - allowing both runs on solo shots. With the decision, Happ recorded his 4th loss of the season, equalling his total number of losses in 2009 and 2010.
*The bullpen deserves a decent chunk of the blame, with Enerio Del Rosario and Jose Valdez combining to allow 7H/4ER in 2IP. For Del Rosario, it's the second time in his last three outings that he has allowed 3ER.
*Aneury Rodriguez enjoyed his first perfect outing of the season, and has lowered his ERA from 15.43 to 6.43 in his last four outings (4.2IP, 4H/1ER, 5K:2BB).
*The Astros defense rolled up five GIDPs on the Cardinals - four of them to end the inning.
*One interesting note for the lineup came when Joe Inglett, who got the start for Bill Hall at 2B, slid over to 3B, pushing Johnson out, and Jason Bourgeois taking his spot at 2B. They combined for a 4x6 (2B, 3B, RBI) night.
*Brett Wallace was 3x4 with a double, extending his hitting streak to seven games, with four straight multi-hit games.
*Carlos Lee is hitless in his last 16 ABs (since his 2nd homer of the season), and Chris Johnson has two hits in his last 24 PAs.
*Hunter Pence won't be the Goat, but he could have been the Hero. With Angel Sanchez representing the tying run on 2nd base, Pence struck out swinging to end the game.
*Man of the Match: Brett Wallace
*Goat of the Game: Enerio Del Rosario/Jose Valdez
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
