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Lohse helps Cards take down Astros

May 19, 2011 - 4:22 AM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Kyle Lohse went eight strong innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the Houston Astros, 5-1, in the opener of a two- game set from Busch Stadium.

Lohse (5-2) allowed one run while scattering six hits and striking out three.

Jon Jay went 2-for-4 and knocked in two during a decisive four-run third inning, as the Cardinals won their third straight.

Bud Norris (2-3) was responsible for Houston's fourth straight loss. He allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings. Entering Wednesday's contest, Norris had posted a 5-1 record with a 1.97 ERA in seven career starts against the Cardinals.

Entering the third, Norris had allowed just one baserunner -- which he promptly picked off -- but Yadier Molina led off the frame with a single and the Cardinals quickly loaded the bases with one out. Jay then placed a grounder up the middle, which barely escaped the diving Clint Barmes, plating Molina and Daniel Descalo. Albert Pujols followed with an RBI bloop shot over short. After a Mark Hamilton groundout, Norris intentionally walked Lance Berkman, then allowed Jay to score with a walk of Allen Craig.

Norris' woes continued in the fifth, as he hit Tyler Greene with two outs. Pete Kozma, making his major league debut, then ripped a double down the third base line, scoring Greene and giving the Cardinals a 5-0 lead.

"We've got a scrappy team," said Lohse.

Chris Johnson drove home Carlos Lee in the seventh, making it 5-1, but the Astros got no closer. Eduardo Sanchez threw a perfect ninth to seal the St. Louis victory.

Michael Bourne and Humberto Quintero both had a pair of hits in the contest, but as a team the Astros left four men on base and were 1-for-2 with runners in scoring position.

"[Lohse] was getting ahead of all our hitters. He only had two three-ball counts all night," said Astros manager Brad Mills. "We had some good at-bats, (but) they made some plays to keep us from getting innings built."

Game Notes

St. Louis outfielder Matt Holiday left the game with tightness in his left quad, while Berkman left in the fifth inning after appearing to hurt his wrist during a diving catch (the move is considered precautionary)...Jay scored the game-winning run in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Philadelphia...Lohse has thrown six or more innings in every start this season.