• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Cardinals, Astros meet in rubber match

Apr 27, 2008 - 1:47 PM Houston (12-13) at St Louis (15-10) 2:15 pm EDT

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Cardinals send Kyle Lohse out with a well-rested bullpen behind him when they attempt to grab the rubber game of a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Adam Wainwright gave the bullpen a day off Saturday, going the distance in a 4-3 victory on Saturday. The righthander threw 127 pitches. Wainwright surrendered a pair of solo homers to Lance Berkman and another to Kaz Matsui, but avoided the big inning en route to his third win of the season. Skip Schumaker's RBI single in the ninth provided the winning margin.

The Cardinals' unexpectedly strong start has been due in large part to a pitching staff that ranks fourth in the majors with a team ERA of 3.59.

Lohse (2-0, 2.54 ERA) will look to keep the strong starts coming on Sunday. The righthander is coming off his worst start of the season Tuesday at Milwaukee when he allowed four runs and eight hits in four innings but did not factor in the decision.

Prior to Tuesday, Lohse had not allowed more than two runs in any of his outings this season.

The Astros counter with righthander Brandon Backe (1-2, 4.15). The 29-year-old has allowed nine runs and 14 hits over 10 innings in his last two starts combined, going 0-1 in that span.