Astros rookie starter, Wandy Rodriguez , coming off his first career win in his previous start last Saturday, was roughed up early during a dreadful home debut, allowing 9 runs in 2 2/3 innings, including a grand slam by Reggie Sanders and a two-run dinger by Cards pitcher Jason Marquis, part of the 8 runs scored in the third inning.
“I had a lot of bad luck,” Rodriguez said afterwards, his voice barely above a whisper.
The Astro refused to give up, chipping away at the early lead as they totaled 12 hits and 9 runs, including home runs by Morgan Ensberg and Lance Berkman, but in the end it was not enough to overcome the early deficit.
“We thought we had a blowout and then they came pounding back,” said Sanders, who had a career-high three doubles and tied a career best for hits. “They always give us a fight.”
“There were several times when the game could have gotten away from us,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “But our pitching staff was able to make some key pitches to stop them.”
The Astros will attempt to avoid the sweep by the division leading Jakes Sunday at 1:05, Mark Mulder vs. Roger Clemens. The two hurlers will square off for the second time this season. Mulder fired a 10-inning, four-hitter in a 1-0 win over Houston on April 23. Clemens also did not surrender a run, allowing four hits in seven innings.