The Stros wasted a fine pitching performance by Carlos Hernandez as Russ Springer was absolutely awful in relief as the Cards took the second game of this key three game series on Wednesday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, 4-2.
With the loss, the Stros fell two games behind the Giants in the Wild Card race and a 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs. At least the Marlins lost twice to the Expos.
Hernandez gave his best performance of the season, giving up only four hits and two runs in six innings. Simply a gutty performance from a pitcher who is still rehabbing from serious shoulder surgery. Springer, on the other hand, was awful in blowing the game in the eighth, giving up three hits, two runs, and throwing a two base wild pitch to boot. Not a great move by Manager Garner in pitching Springer for the second straight night.
After JK‘s two run yak in the second, the Stros offense was ineffectual. After the Pirates series last weekend, it’s not comforting watching the Stros struggle at the plate. Too much like most of the season and not enough like the great streak that got them back in the Wild Card race.
Brandon Backe goes for the Stros in the rubber game on Thursday night before the Stros return to the Juice Box for a quick weekender against the Brew Crew. The big Giants series at San Francisco looms next week.