Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Cardinals 4, Astros 1
The Associated Press
HOUSTON — The St. Louis Cardinals lead the major leagues in come-from-behind victories. They're pretty good at staying ahead too, even when they get only six hits. Albert Pujols and Eli Marrero each hit two-run home runs in the four-run first inning as the St. Louis Cardinals clinched the season series with Houston by beating the Astros 4-1 Tuesday night.
“You have to give the Astros credit, they kept making all those opportunities,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “Here we are at the start of the season just trying to get as far over .500 as we can.”
The Cardinals were outhit 10-6 but they improved to 9-2 against Houston with six games between the teams still remaining in September. St. Louis has won four in a row and 16 of 19. Eight of those victories were come-from-behind wins and they have 19 on the season.
“I think we kind of relaxed after we got those four runs,” Marrero said. “We got back on our heels. Then it seemed like every inning, they got runners on. I kept saying, they are going to catch up to us, but our pitchers made the pitches when they had to.”
The Astros, who lost for the eighth time in nine games, left the bases loaded three times and stranded a season-high 13 runners, spoiling a solid pitching performance by Shane Reynolds and the Astros bullpen.
“To give up four runs in the first inning makes it hard to come back,” Reynolds said. “I did find a groove and was able to keep the score down for a few innings. After the first, I threw the ball pretty well.”
Reynolds struck out Mike Matheny to end the Cardinals' four-run first inning, starting a string of 11 consecutive outs until Fernando Vina singled in the fifth.
“We've got to keep going,” Astros manager Jimy Williams said. “We've got to keep getting guys on base, keep taking our chances. Guys are going to get hits, it's just not happening with men on base. It's tough.”
Reynolds pitched five innings, gave up five hits and four runs, struck out four and walked one. Reynolds got out of the fifth on a double play, and relievers Pedro Borbon, Nelson Cruz and Brandon Puffer allowed one hit and one walk over the final four innings.
The Cardinals got four runs off Reynolds (3-4) in the first inning.
Edgar Renteria singled and scored on Pujols' 10th homer. After a double by Jim Edmonds, Marrero hit his third homer of the season.
Matt Morris (7-3) allowed one run in the first inning when Craig Biggio singled, Lance Berkman walked and Jeff Bagwell hit an RBI double. After Daryle Ward popped up and Richard Hidalgo walked, Morris got out of a bases-loaded jam by striking out Morgan Ensberg.
Morris pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and five walks. He struck out five. Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth for his 15th save in 16 chances.
“I wish I could have gone deeper in the game,” Morris said. “But the Astros had a lot of runners on base. I am still trying to get my pitches over early. I should have done that from the get-go.”
Marrero is hitting .457 against the Astros this season.
“That's just one of those things,” he said. “Some days you're good, some days you're bad. I just hope I keep it up.”
Notes: St. Louis leads the majors with 19 come-from-behind victories this season. ... Biggio played in his club record 2,000th career game for the Astros. ... Astros opening day starter Wade Miller will make his first start Wednesday night since April 12 when he went on the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his neck.
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Cardinals 4, Astros 1 
