Recap: Houston vs. St. Louis
Sports Network | August 31, 2008
Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Ty Wigginton hit a two-run homer to lead Houston past St. Louis, 3-0, in the final contest of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. Hunter Pence drove in the other run for the Astros, who swept the set and have won five straight games. Wandy Rodriguez (8-6) got the win by allowing seven hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings before leaving the game with a back injury. He is listed as day-to- day. Albert Pujols and Aaron Miles each had two hits for the Cardinals, who have lost five of seven. Todd Wellemeyer (11-6) took the loss despite a solid start, giving up just one run and four hits over seven full frames. Nursing a one-run lead into the eighth, the Astros got some much-needed breathing room when Wigginton hit a two-run homer for a 3-0 Houston advantage. Darin Erstad was hit by a Ron Villone pitch with one down, and Ryan Franklin entered the contest only to surrender the blast. Jose Valverde earned his 37th save by turning aside St. Louis in order in the ninth. St. Louis had two on with one out in its first at-bat, but failed to score as Ryan Ludwick grounded into a force and Troy Glaus grounded out. Houston picked up a run in the second, as Lance Berkman led off with a double and scored on a Pence base hit. Despite seven hits through five frames, the Cards did not have a runner past second base after the first inning. The visitors' frustration boiled over in the sixth. Rodriguez fanned Pujols looking then turned the trick again facing Ludwick -- angering manager Tony LaRussa enough that he was ejected by home plate umpire Mike Winters. However, Rodriguez exited with an injury during the sequence and Chris Sampson took over by walking Glaus before inducing an inning-ending fly out from Yadier Molina. Game Notes Despite the loss, St. Louis won the season series 8-7... Wigginton's homer was his 21st of the season and 12th in August alone, tying Jeff Bagwell's franchise mark set in August, 2000...Molina extended his hit streak to 11 games. Game Notes Despite the loss, St. Louis won the season series 8-7... Wigginton's homer was his 21st of the season and 12th in August alone, tying Jeff Bagwell's franchise mark set in August, 2000...Molina extended his hit streak to 11 games.
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