Wednesday, May 22, 2002
Cardinals 3, Astros 1
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — If this was Jason Simontacchi's last start, he went out with gusto. The 28-year-old rookie pitched seven impressive innings as the St. Louis Cardinals won for the 10th time in 12 games, beating the Houston Astros 3-1 Tuesday night.
He's the last of the team's fill-in starters during an injury-plagued early stretch of the season, and could lose his spot if the team decides to recall Bud Smith from Triple-A Memphis.
“There's no other place to play than the big leagues and I want to stay here, there's no doubt about that,” Simontacchi said. “It's nice to make it a tough decision.”
Smith, who no-hit the Padres last September, struggled with the Cardinals earlier in the season and also spent time on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. After his second minor league start Tuesday, he has allowed two runs on three hits in 13 innings.
Manager Tony La Russa was noncommittal about the up-for-grabs rotation slot Sunday in Pittsburgh.
“Enjoy the moment,” La Russa said. “He's definitely done a lot to get the ball, but Bud pitched a one-hitter the last time he pitched, so it's a good problem to have.”
Simontacchi (2-0) allowed one run and five hits in his third career start, striking out four and walking two, and lowering his ERA to 2.37. He was pitching on 10 days' rest and held the heart of the Astros' order — Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman and Daryle Ward — to a single in eight at-bats.
“I was a little shaky in the beginning with my mechanics,” Simontacchi said. “After the first inning, I kind of settled down and got into it.
“It's nice to go out there and compete and pitch well.”
The Cardinals won without Tino Martinez, sent home because of flulike symptoms, and J.D. Drew, who's in a 1-for-16 slump and didn't start against left-hander Carlos Hernandez.
The Astros, who got three hits from Craig Biggio and three from the rest of the lineup, have lost two straight after winning seven in a row.
“You had two pitchers going at each other and there were not a lot of runs scored out there,” manager Jimy Williams said. “They got a couple of key hits.”
The game began a nine-game stretch in which the teams will face each other six times, and then not meet again until September. The Cardinals are 5-2 so far in the season series.
Placido Polanco, Fernando Vina and Mike Matheny each drove in a run for the Cardinals, who are 7-1 with two games to go on a 10-game homestand.
Hernandez (4-2) retired the first nine batters before the Cardinals broke through in the fourth. Vina singled to start the inning and scored on Polanco's double.
“I thought I had everything working, but you have to give credit to their hitters,” Hernandez said. “They hit the ball. They hit pretty good pitches for doubles.”
Houston tied it in the fifth on Biggio's second double of the game.
The Cardinals regained the lead in the bottom half on an RBI single by Vina. Miguel Cairo singled with two outs in the sixth and scored on Matheny's double for a 3-1 lead. Matheny's hit ended a 1-for-20 slump and was his first RBI since May 3.
“I've been feeling pretty good actually, seeing the ball and working the count and seeing a lot of pitches,” Matheny said. “I feel like I've been making tough outs, so I'm staying away from any statistics.”
Jason Isringhausen worked the ninth for his 11th save in 12 chances.
Notes: The Cardinals (24-21) are three games above .500 for the first time since April 17, when they were 9-6. ... The Astros are 13-9 at home and 8-14 on the road. ... Berkman is 3-for-24 against the Cardinals this year with three RBIs.
Reds Stories
Scott no-show for Bengals' workout
TE Brewer finally back in action
Reluctant Bengal expected today
Flesch pursues first PGA win in Memorial
Oak Hills grad improves on tour
Celtics 93, Nets 86
Angry Shaq ready for two games at home
Area's top basketball players honored
UK's Carruth transferring to Oklahoma
Hurricanes 2, Maple Leafs 1
Coming up this week
Cincinnati High School Highlights
Cincinnati High School Results
N.Ky. High School Results
Today's High School Schedule
• Return to Reds front page...
Cardinals 3, Astros 1 
