There may not have been any fireworks between Brandon Backe and Albert Pujols, but the Cardinals’ offense did show some life against the Houston starter in the 4-1 win this afternoon as Kyle Lohse continued to show that he may have been the biggest steal of the off-season.
Lohse, who got off to an incredible start but slowed down a bit over his last two starts, got himself back on track, giving up only a run on 4 hits and a walk over 6 innings. The Cardinals did most of their offensive damage in the 5th inning, where Ryan Ludwick knocked in 2 runs with a double and Troy Glaus added 2 more on his first home run as a St. Louis Cardinal. The Cards added a run in the 7th as Pujols managed to push a run across on solo home run. Pujols was 1-2 with 2 walks and got an RBI and one of his 2 runs scored on his 5th homer of the year. Aaron Miles was the only St. Louis hitter to get multiple hits, going 2-4 on the game. Kyle McClellan pitched all 3 innings of relief to earn his first save of the year.
Following yet another series win, the Cardinals will welcome the Cincinnati Reds to town tomorrow night at 7:15pm (Central time). St. Louis will send Todd Wellemeyer (2-0, 3.77 ERA) to the hill against struggling Reds righty Bronson Arroyo (0-3, 7.56 ERA).
