Final
Beltran, Cardinals complete sweep of Astros
Sep 21, 2012 - 4:48 AM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Carlos Beltran's two-run double in the sixth inning proved to be the difference, as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Houston Astros, 5-4, to complete a three-game sweep.Allen Craig hit a three-run homer for the Cardinals, who lead the Brewers by 2 1/2 games for the second of the NL's two wild card berths.
Jaime Garcia (5-7) allowed three runs on six hits over six innings to pick up the win. He struck out five and walked two while improving to 1-5 lifetime against Houston.
Brandon Laird knocked in two runs for the Astros, who fell to 48-102 on the season. Justin Maxwell and Brandon Barnes added an RBI apiece.
Bud Norris (5-13) continued to struggle on the mound, giving up five runs on six hits while striking out seven and walking five over 5 1/3 innings. The right-hander saw his career-long losing streak reach 12 games.
"They're a good ballclub over there and we've got to get better," Norris said.
Houston got on the board in the first inning after loading the bases with one out. After J.D. Martinez struck out swinging, Laird walked to force in a run.
But the Cardinals responded with three runs in the bottom half. Matt Carpenter and Matt Holliday hit one-out singles. Craig followed with a homer to left- center field to make it a 3-1 game.
The Astros got two runs back in the third. Barnes doubled to left and raced home on Maxwell's double to center. With two outs, Laird hit an RBI single that bounced off second base.
Beltran broke the tie in the sixth. Daniel Descalso and Peter Kozma walked to chase Norris from the game. Wesley Wright came in from the bullpen and Beltran greeted him with a pinch-hit, two-run double off the wall in left-center field.
"They told me if a situation came up where guys were in scoring position, they were going to use me," Beltran said. "So I'm not surprised. The manager is the one making the calls and I just have to be ready when he needs me."
Houston kept it close by scoring once in the seventh. Scott Moore singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on Jose Altuve's groundout and raced home on Barnes' single.
The Astros had a chance to tie the game or go in front during their next at- bat. Fernando Salas entered the game for St. Louis with the bases loaded and one out. He struck out Altuve and Brett Wallace to keep it 5-4.
Jason Motte worked a scoreless ninth to pick up his 38th save of the season.
Game Notes
The Cardinals lead the season series by a 9-3 margin ... St. Louis eclipsed the three million mark in attendance for the ninth consecutive season and 16th in franchise history ... Houston went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11.
- HOUSTON: 4
ST. LOUIS: 5
Final
Sep 20 5:14 PM - Brandon Barnes single to left scored Scott Moore with one out. Runner on first and Matt Dominguez due up.
Astros 4, Cardinals 5 Top 7, 1 OutSep 20 4:04 PM - Pinch-Hitter Carlos Beltran double to left center scored Daniel Descalso and Peter Kozma with one out. Runner on second and Jon Jay due up.
Astros 3, Cardinals 5 Bot 6, 1 OutSep 20 3:53 PM - J.D. Martinez struck out looking. Runner on second with two outs and Brandon Laird due up.
Astros 2, Cardinals 3 Top 3, 2 OutsSep 20 2:39 PM - Allen Craig one-out, three-run Home Run (22) to left center scored Matt Carpenter and Matt Holliday. Yadier Molina due up.
Astros 1, Cardinals 3 Bot 1, 1 OutSep 20 2:09 PM - Brandon Laird walked Jose Altuve scored on the play with two out. Bases loaded and Carlos Corporan due up.
Astros 1, Cardinals 0 Top 1, 2 OutsSep 20 2:00 PM - HOUSTON: 0
ST. LOUIS: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 20 1:47 PM
Related News
- Tuesday Open Thread Dec 26
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 26, 2023 Dec 26
- Vote on the Cardinals next best prospect - 2024 Dec 25
- Everystros LV Dec 24
- Cardinals in the Lab: Offseason Tracker Dec 24
- What Would You Do With $33M? (An Open Thread Discussion) Dec 23
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 23, 2023 Dec 23
- Astros Minor League Position Review: Third Base Dec 22
- John Mozeliak has not closed the door on the Cardinals adding a starting pitcher Dec 22
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 22, 2023 Dec 22
- Vote on the Cardinals’ best prospect - 2024 Dec 21
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 21, 2023 Dec 21