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Resurgent Looper takes the mound against Astros

Aug 30, 2008 - 10:16 AM St. Louis (74-61) at Houston (68-66), 7:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan has maintained a reputation for resurrecting the careers of eroding hurlers. Braden Looper is showing off the benefits of working under the pitching guru.

The righthander takes the mound on Saturday with hopes the Cardinals can bounce back from a crushing loss against the Houston Astros.

Looper (12-10, 3.94 ERA) has tossed at least seven innings in six straight starts and has held opponents to three runs or less in eight of his last 10.

The 33-year-old righthander is 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA in four starts against Houston this season, but is 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA this month.

Duncan, considered one of the game's best pitching coaches, also has helped Cardinals righthander Kyle Lohse, who has 13 wins this season.

Lohse tossed eight brilliant frames in the opener, but allowed a two-run homer to David Newhan in the seventh inning that eventually paved the way for Lance Berkman's walk-off homer in the ninth against reliever Russ Springer.

Among others to flourish under Duncan were Jeff Weaver and Adam Wainwright, who has made a successful transition from the bullpen to rotation.

Houston will counter with Brian Moehler (9-5, 3.99), who has won five of his last six decisions.

The 36-year-old righthander received a one-year extension on Friday and will take the mound against the Cardinals for the first time since tossing seven scoreless frames against them on June 6 during a 6-1 win.