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Reds waste solid start by Arroyo in loss to Cards

Apr 26, 2007 - 5:18 AM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Bronson Arroyo just can't seem to catch a break, or get any run support.

Another strong start by Arroyo went in vain as Albert Pujols delivered in the clutch to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the second game of a three-game series.

Arroyo had given up just two earned runs in each of his previous three starts but had only a loss and a pair of no-decisions to show for his efforts. He was even better against the Cardinals, yielding a run and five hits in seven innings, but he again did not factor in the decision.

"That's the way it goes I guess," said Arroyo, who threw 65 of 96 pitches for strikes. "I feel like I'm throwing the ball well, I'm commanding everything I want to do. It's frustrating. For my team not to win ballgames anytime I've been out there is disappointing."

"Bronson was outstanding," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "If he continues and I'm sure he'll continue to pitch well he'll get it going and have a real good year. We're going to start hitting."

Kirk Saarloos came on to start the eighth for the Reds, and the Cardinals pounced, scoring four times in the frame to take a 5-1 lead. Pujols delivered the big blow, lining a 2-2 pitch into right-center field for a two-run double that snapped a 1-1 tie.

"I tried to make it simple, go back to my basics," Pujols said. "I just tried to get the ball deep (in the zone), put on my best swing, and I was able to hit the ball in the gap."

"I just threw a back-door sinker that caught too much plate," Saarloos said. "(Pujols) didn't try to pull it and hit it to right-center. He did a good job with the pitch, it's just disappointing, kind of a bad effort for me today."

Saarloos (0-2) allowed four runs - two earned - two hits and two walks without recording an out.

Braden Looper turned in a solid start for the Cardinals, who recorded just their second win in nine home games. Looper allowed one run and three hits in seven innings while striking out four and issuing a pair of walks.

"I felt pretty good," said Looper, who carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning. "I was able to throw in the bottom of the strike zone, it was probably some of the best control, for the majority of the game, that I've had."

"For him to go seven innings like that was outstanding," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "That was really, really strong pitching."

Randy Flores (1-0) allowed a run and two hits in 1 1/3 innings to record the win and Jason Isringhausen came on in the ninth to get the final out and earn his fifth save.

Jim Edmonds gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the fourth. Cincinnati rookie Josh Hamilton tied the game with his N.L. rookie leading sixth home run to center in the sixth inning.