The Mark Mulder/Roger Clemens faceoff wasn't necessarily all it was cracked up to be, but it still paid off for the Astros. With 6 runs in the first three innings, they were able to hang on for a 6-4 win over the Cardinals and avoid a sweep.
Clemens had a rocky first inning, allowing the first three hitters to reach base, the last of which was a Pooholes RBI single which scored David Eckstein and put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Mark Grudzielanek then hit a double to left which scored two, giving the Cards a 3-0 lead.
Mulder's first inning was even worse, and the Cards never recovered. Willy Taveras and Chris Burke both reached base to start the game, and put runners at 2nd and 3rd for Craig Biggio, who hit a sac fly to center to bring in Taveras. Burke advanced to third on the throw, which proved critical. Lance Berkman grounded to third, and Burke broke for home. He was able to avoid the tag and home and score, bringing the Astros to within a run. Morgan Ensberg and Jason Lane then went back-to-back on Mulder, each to the Crawford boxes. The Astros emerged from the inning with a 5-3 lead.
A leadoff triple by Yadier Molina and a sac fly by Mulder let the Cards get a run back, but the Astros got it back in the 3rd when Lane drove in Ensberg from 2nd with a single to left. That would be it for the scoring in the game.
Mulder only lasted three innings, and Clemens only five. Russ Springer, Dan Wheeler, and Brad Lidge pitched 1-hit shutout ball the rest of the way, with Lidge getting his 13th save of the season. Lane and Ensberg tied for the best offensive performances, each getting two hits and two RBI.
The Astros get another day off Monday before packing up and heading to Shea for a three-game series with the Mets. Roy Oswalt pitches against Pedro Martinez Tuesday night at 6:10pm CDT.
