Jake Westbrook (3-2, 1.76) vs Lucas Harrell (5-7, 4.32)
Well, that was ugly. The team with the worst record in the American League faced off against the team with the best record in the National League, and the results were exactly what you might expect from such a matchup. The Astros made the most of six hits, but Lucas Harrell got blasted, and the bullpen didn't fare any better. Cardinals win 13-5, and Houston drops to 29-49 overall.
On the Mound:
*Lucas Harrell did just fine for three innings, but a 7-run disaster inning in the 4th ended his night, and took Houston's hopes with it. His line: 3.1 IP / 7 H / 7 R / 7 ER / 4 BB / 5 K.
*Two-run homers were on special with the Houston bullpen tonight. Dallas Keuchel (being skipped in the rotation due to off days) gave up the first to Carlos Beltran, also fanning 6 in 2.2 IP.
*Travis Blackley was next in line, pitching the 7th and giving up a two-run HR to David Freese.
*Josh Fields was next, giving up a two-run shot to Allen Craig in the 8th.
*Hector Ambriz was the best of Houston's sorry staff tonight, allowing only one hit while striking out two in a scoreless 9th.
At the Plate:
*Jake Westbrook held the Astros hit less until the 6th, when Matt Dominguez led off with his 11th home run of the season. Matty D finished 1 for 3 with a BB and 2 K.
*Brett Wallace marked his return from AAA with a two-run triple in the 6th, finishing 1 for 4 with a run scored (and no K's!).
*Jose Altuve (1 for 4, K) and Brandon Barnes (0 for 3, BB) reached and scored ahead of Wallace's triple.
*Jason Castro drove home Wallace on a sac fly, finishing 0 for 3.
*Carlos Pena doubled and went 1 for 2.
*Marc Krauss pinch-hit for Pena in the 9th and doubled, for his first big league hit.
*Ronny Cedeno drove home Krauss for Houston's final run, finishing 1 for 4.
*Brett Wallace marked his return from AAA with a two-run triple in the 6th, finishing 1 for 4 with a run scored (and no K's!).
*Jose Altuve (1 for 4, K) and Brandon Barnes (0 for 3, BB) reached and scored ahead of Wallace's triple.
*Jason Castro drove home Wallace on a sac fly, finishing 0 for 3.
*Carlos Pena doubled and went 1 for 2.
*Marc Krauss pinch-hit for Pena in the 9th and doubled, for his first big league hit.
*Ronny Cedeno drove home Krauss for Houston's final run, finishing 1 for 4.
Turning Point:
After 3 scoreless innings in both sides, St. Louis' 4th against Harrell went thus: double, single, walk, walk, K, walk, single, triple, single. That added up to 7 runs for the Cardinals, and an early shower for Lucas.
Man of the Match:
Brett Wallace. Welcomed back from OKC with his second hit of the season.
Goat of the Game:
Lucas Harrell. Didn't give the Astros any chance tonight.
