Final
  for this game

Starting pitchers have Cardinals off to strong start

Apr 25, 2008 - 2:53 PM Houston (11-12) at St Louis (14-9) 8:15 pm EDT

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) - The St. Louis Cardinals starting rotation appeared to be the club's biggest weakness heading into the 2008 season. So far, it has been their greatest strength.

The Cardinals hope for another strong performance from starter Bradon Looper when they open a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Friday.

St. Louis' starters rank fourth in the majors with a 3.65 ERA this season despite not getting a single appearance from 2005 Cy Young award winner Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder or Matt Clement - all sidelined with injuries.

Looper (3-1, 5.49 ERA) has done a great job filling in for the injured pitchers this year and should bounce back against the Astros after suffering his first loss of the season in his last start.

The 33-year-old righthander had allowed just five earned runs in his first three starts - all wins. However, Looper was pounded for seven runs and 10 hits in just three innings as the Cardinals dropped an 8-2 decision to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.

Shawn Chacon (0-0, 2.77) counters for the Astros seeking his first win of the season, although he has given up fewer than three runs and pitched at least six innings in each of his first four starts.








  • NL
    FINAL
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    - - - - - - - - - - - -
    HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6 1
    ST LOUIS 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 0 (FINAL)

    BATTERIES: HOU - SHAWN CHACON, WESLEY WRIGHT (8TH), JOSE VALVERDE (9TH) AND
    J.R. TOWLES
    STL - BRADEN LOOPER, RYAN FRANKLIN (8TH), JASON
    ISRINGHAUSEN (9TH) AND YADIER MOLINA


    Apr 26 1:03 AM


  • NL
    AT ST LOUIS - SCORING UPDATE
    SOLO HOME RUN BY CARLOS LEE (5) TO LEFT WITH 2 OUT IN THE
    9TH OFF JASON ISRINGHAUSEN.
    CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 3, ST LOUIS 2
    DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: G BLUM (.209, 0-FOR-3)

    Astros 3, Cardinals 2  Top 9, 0 OutsApr 26 12:45 AM
  • 40
    roots
    RUWTbot Took away 37 roots (Close Finish)

    Astros 3, Cardinals 2  Top 9, 0 OutsApr 26 12:45 AM


  • NL
    AT ST LOUIS - SCORING UPDATE
    SACRIFICE FLY BY LANCE BERKMAN SCORED MIGUEL TEJADA.
    SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 2 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 2
    ST LOUIS 2 TOP, 9TH
    DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C LEE (.270, 0-FOR-3)

    Astros 2, Cardinals 2  Top 9, 0 OutsApr 26 12:44 AM
  • 77
    roots
    RUWTbot Added 37 roots (Close Finish)

    Astros 2, Cardinals 2  Top 9, 0 OutsApr 26 12:44 AM


  • NL
    AT ST LOUIS - SCORING UPDATE
    TRIPLE BY MIGUEL TEJADA SCORED DARIN ERSTAD.
    SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M TEJADA ON THIRD, 1 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 1
    ST LOUIS 2 TOP, 9TH
    DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: L BERKMAN (.313, 0-FOR-3)

    Astros 1, Cardinals 2  Top 9, 0 OutsApr 26 12:40 AM
  • 40
    roots
    RUWTbot Added 35 roots (Close Finish)

    Astros 1, Cardinals 2  Top 9, 0 OutsApr 26 12:40 AM


  • NL
    AT ST LOUIS - SCORING UPDATE
    FIELDER'S CHOICE BY ADAM KENNEDY SCORED SKIP SCHUMAKER AND
    RICK ANKIEL.
    SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, C DUNCAN ON THIRD, 2 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 0
    ST LOUIS 2 BOTTOM, 1ST
    DUE UP FOR ST LOUIS: Y MOLINA (.271, 1 HR, 7 RBI)

    Astros 0, Cardinals 2  Bot 1, 0 OutsApr 25 10:40 PM
  • 5
    roots
    mrman226 Added 5 roots

    Astros vs. CardinalsApr 25 6:48 AM