Once again the Cardinals got a stellar outing from their starting pitcher, but the bend-but-don’t-break bullpen broke tonight in the team’s 5-3 loss to the Houston Astros, ending the Cards’ 5 game winning streak and dropping them to 5-2 on the young season.
Todd Wellemeyer put up his second consecutive quality start, shutting the Astros down through 6 innings. In the 7th, however, he gave up consecutive solo homeruns to Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee. J.R. Towles added another solo shot off reliever Kelvin Jimenez to put the score at 3-0 going into the 9th. But the Cardinals shot back, as Aaron Miles singled and Cesar Izturis walked to lead off the inning against Houston closer Jose Valverde. Valverde responded by striking out Rick Ankiel, St. Louis’ most dangerous hitter so far on the young season, and forcing Albert Pujols to fly out. But with two outs, Troy Glaus singled home a run and Ryan Ludwick, who had struck out in his previous 3 at bats, bounced back by knocking in two more with a double to tie the game. Unfortunately, it was not to be for the Cards tonight, as rookie pitcher Kyle McClellan gave up a single to Carlos Lee to open the bottom of the 9th and Miguel Tejada followed with a walk-off two-run homer.
Troy Glaus was the only Cardinal to collect multiple hits, going 2-4 with an RBI. The Astros pitching staff was able to cool off Rick Ankiel, who was 0-4 with 2 K’s and 2 men left on base. Leading off for the first time this season, Cesar Izturis was 0-3 with a walk and a run scored. The Cards will send Brad Thompson (1-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound to face Astros righty Shawn Chacon (0-0, 3.00 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 (Central time).
