ST. LOUIS —
Kyle McClellan began the year at the end of the St. Louis Cardinals’ rotation. Now, the former setup man has jumped ahead of everyone in the National League.

The first-year starter became the NL’s first six-game winner after working eight strong innings in a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday. McClellan pounded the strike zone and did not go to a three-ball count on any of the 29 batters he faced.

“I don’t know what my pitch count was, but I thought I was throwing a lot of strikes,” McClellan said. “That’s when I’m at my best, locating down in the zone.”

Backup catcher Gerald Laird made his 10th start of the season count with a two-run double and Allen Craig homered in a three-hit game as the stand-in cleanup batter for injured Matt Holliday. The Cardinals completed a 4-0 homestand behind stingy pitching that allowed only five runs. They jumped a half-game ahead of the Reds atop the NL Central and are a season-best seven games over .500 at 26-19.

“When we don’t show up with our offense, they show up with their pitching,” Albert Pujols said. “We put up two or three runs and it almost looks like the game is over.”

Holliday said he probably could play Friday night at Kansas City. Lance Berkman also was out with a sprained right wrist and is likely to miss at least a few more games.

“It’s like spraining your ankle,” Berkman said. “As soon as it feels better to run, you can run.”

J.A. Happ (3-5) had a season-high eight strikeouts for the Astros, allowing three runs in six innings. Houston has lost five in a row, totaling just 29 hits while getting outscored 22-10.

The Astros had six hits in both games against St. Louis and were 2 for 25 with runners on base in the series.

“When you don’t get timely hits, you don’t get a lot of runs,” manager Brad Mills said. “Yeah, you’re going to have some frustration. There’s no doubt about it.”

Pujols was 0 for 3 with a walk and has gone a career-high 91 at-bats and 104 plate appearances since his last home run. Pujols has been stuck on seven homers since April 23 and the homerless drought tops his previous worst of 89 at-bats at the end of the 2009 season when he led the NL with 47.

“I feel pretty good,” Pujols said. “So I think something’s coming.”

After the start was delayed 55 minutes by rain, McClellan (6-1) allowed two runs with five strikeouts and no walks. He retired the first 10 in order before Clint Barmes doubled with one out in the fourth for the Astros’ first baserunner.

Barmes went to third on Hunter Pence’s single and scored on Carlos Lee’s sacrifice fly.

McClellan hurt himself in the eighth with two wild pitches, doubling his season total. The second allowed Humberto Quintero to score the Astros’ second run.

The previous three seasons McClellan had been a setup man, and he replaced injured Adam Wainwright in the rotation this year. The right-hander has worked eight innings in two of his last three starts and he bounced back from his first loss in his previous appearance.

Fernando Salas worked the ninth for his fifth save in five chances.

The Cardinals opened the second with a single, walk and Laird’s fifth double of the season — one more than Pujols in only his 43rd at-bat — off the base of the left-field wall. Laird made his first start in eight days for the Cardinals, who are 8-2 when he starts.

Craig hit his second homer and first since April 11 on a full count leading off the sixth to make it 3-1. St. Louis capitalized on second baseman Bill Hall’s fielding error to start the seventh with an RBI single by Ryan Theriot for a 4-1 cushion.

Happ said Laird hit his “worst pitch of the game.” He was happy with the full-count pitch hammered by Craig.

“To be honest, I put the ball really where I wanted it,” Happ said. “He was a difference-maker, that’s for sure.”

NOTES: Hall returned to the Astros’ lineup after a two-day rest and was 0 for 3. … Craig had been 1 for 10 in the first three games of the homestand. … Cardinals starting catcher Yadier Molina is on a 10-for-15 tear with four straight multihit games, his best since compiling five straight June 16-20, 2009. … CF Colby Rasmus returned to the Cardinals’ lineup after missing four games due to an abdominal injury and had a double and a walk. … Theriot is 9 for 20 during a five-game hitting streak. … Quintero doubled and singled and has two straight multihit games.

Updated May 19, 2011 5:50 PM ET

ST. LOUIS (AP)

First-year starter Kyle McClellan became the National League’s first six-game winner and backup catcher Gerald Laird made his 10th start of the season count with a two-run double as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Houston Astros 4-2 on Thursday for a two-game sweep.

Allen Craig homered in a three-hit game as the stand-in cleanup batter for injured Matt Holliday. The Cardinals completed a 4-0 homestand behind stingy pitching that allowed only five runs. They jumped a half-game ahead of the Reds atop the NL Central.

J.A. Happ (3-5) had a season-high eight strikeouts for the Astros, allowing three runs in six innings. Houston has lost five in a row, totaling just 29 hits while getting outscored 22-10.

Albert Pujols was 0 for 3 with a walk and has gone a career-high 91 at-bats since his last home run. Pujols has been stuck on seven homers since April 23 and the homerless drought tops his previous worst of 89 at-bats at the end of the 2009 season when he led the NL with 47.

After the start was delayed 55 minutes by rain, McClellan (6-1) allowed two runs in eight innings with five strikeouts and no walks. He retired the first 10 in order before Clint Barmes doubled with one out in the fourth for the Astros’ first baserunner.

Barmes went to third on Hunter Pence’s single and scored on Carlos Lee’s sacrifice fly.

McClellan hurt himself in the eighth with two wild pitches, doubling his season total. The second allowed Humberto Quintero to score the Astros’ second run.

The previous three seasons McClellan had been a setup man, and he replaced injured Adam Wainwright in the rotation this year. The right-hander has worked eight innings in two of his last three starts and he bounced back from his first loss in his previous appearance.

Fernando Salas worked the ninth for his fifth save in five chances.

The Cardinals opened the second with a single, walk and Laird’s fifth double of the season – one more than Pujols in only his 43rd at-bat – off the base of the left-field wall. Laird made his first start in eight days for the Cardinals, who are 8-2 when he starts.

Craig hit his second homer and first since April 11 on a full count leading off the sixth to make it 3-1. St. Louis capitalized on second baseman Bill Hall’s fielding error to start the seventh with an RBI single by Ryan Theriot for a 4-1 cushion.

NOTES: Hall returned to the Astros’ lineup after a two-day rest and was 0 for 3. … Craig had been 1 for 10 in the first three games of the homestand. … Cardinals starting catcher Yadier Molina is on a 10-for-15 tear with four straight multihit games, his best since compiling five straight June 16-20, 2009. … CF Colby Rasmus returned to the Cardinals’ lineup after missing four games due to an abdominal injury and had a double and a walk.

CBSSports.com wire reports
May 19, 2011

ST. LOUIS — Kyle McClellan began the year at the end of the St. Louis Cardinals’ rotation. Now, the former setup man has jumped ahead of everyone in the National League.

The first-year starter became the NL’s first six-game winner after working eight strong innings in a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday. McClellan pounded the strike zone and did not go to a three-ball count on any of the 29 batters he faced.

“I don’t know what my pitch count was, but I thought I was throwing a lot of strikes,” McClellan said. “That’s when I’m at my best, locating down in the zone.”

Backup catcher Gerald Laird made his 10th start of the season count with a two-run double and Allen Craig homered in a three-hit game as the stand-in cleanup batter for injured Matt Holliday. The Cardinals completed a 4-0 homestand behind stingy pitching that allowed only five runs. They jumped a half-game ahead of the Reds atop the NL Central and are a season-best seven games over .500 at 26-19.

“When we don’t show up with our offense, they show up with their pitching,” Albert Pujols said. “We put up two or three runs and it almost looks like the game is over.”

Holliday said he probably could play Friday night at Kansas City. Lance Berkman also was out with a sprained right wrist and is likely to miss at least a few more games.

“It’s like spraining your ankle,” Berkman said. “As soon as it feels better to run, you can run.”

J.A. Happ (3-5) had a season-high eight strikeouts for the Astros, allowing three runs in six innings. Houston has lost five in a row, totaling just 29 hits while getting outscored 22-10.

The Astros had six hits in both games against St. Louis and were 2 for 25 with runners on base in the series.

“When you don’t get timely hits, you don’t get a lot of runs,” manager Brad Mills said. “Yeah, you’re going to have some frustration. There’s no doubt about it.”

Pujols was 0 for 3 with a walk and has gone a career-high 91 at-bats and 104 plate appearances since his last home run. Pujols has been stuck on seven homers since April 23 and the homerless drought tops his previous worst of 89 at-bats at the end of the 2009 season when he led the NL with 47.

“I feel pretty good,” Pujols said. “So I think something’s coming.”

After the start was delayed 55 minutes by rain, McClellan (6-1) allowed two runs with five strikeouts and no walks. He retired the first 10 in order before Clint Barmes doubled with one out in the fourth for the Astros’ first baserunner.

Barmes went to third on Hunter Pence’s single and scored on Carlos Lee’s sacrifice fly.

McClellan hurt himself in the eighth with two wild pitches, doubling his season total. The second allowed Humberto Quintero to score the Astros’ second run.

The previous three seasons McClellan had been a setup man, and he replaced injured Adam Wainwright in the rotation this year. The right-hander has worked eight innings in two of his last three starts and he bounced back from his first loss in his previous appearance.

Fernando Salas worked the ninth for his fifth save in five chances.

The Cardinals opened the second with a single, walk and Laird’s fifth double of the season — one more than Pujols in only his 43rd at-bat — off the base of the left-field wall. Laird made his first start in eight days for the Cardinals, who are 8-2 when he starts.

Craig hit his second homer and first since April 11 on a full count leading off the sixth to make it 3-1. St. Louis capitalized on second baseman Bill Hall’s fielding error to start the seventh with an RBI single by Ryan Theriot for a 4-1 cushion.

Happ said Laird hit his “worst pitch of the game.” He was happy with the full-count pitch hammered by Craig.

“To be honest, I put the ball really where I wanted it,” Happ said. “He was a difference-maker, that’s for sure.”

Notes

• Hall returned to the Astros’ lineup after a two-day rest and was 0 for 3.
• Craig had been 1 for 10 in the first three games of the homestand.
• Cardinals starting catcher Yadier Molina is on a 10-for-15 tear with four straight multihit games, his best since compiling five straight June 16-20, 2009.
• CF Colby Rasmus returned to the Cardinals’ lineup after missing four games due to an abdominal injury and had a double and a walk.
• Theriot is 9 for 20 during a five-game hitting streak.
• Quintero doubled and singled and has two straight multihit games.

Kyle McClellan began the year at the end of the St. Louis Cardinals’ rotation. Now, the former setup man has jumped ahead of everyone in the National League.

The first-year starter became the NL’s first six-game winner after working eight strong innings in a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday. McClellan pounded the strike zone and did not go to a three-ball count on any of the 29 batters he faced.

“I don’t know what my pitch count was, but I thought I was throwing a lot of strikes,” McClellan said. “That’s when I’m at my best, locating down in the zone.”

Backup catcher Gerald Laird made his 10th start of the season count with a two-run double and Allen Craig homered in a three-hit game as the stand-in cleanup batter for injured Matt Holliday. The Cardinals completed a 4-0 homestand behind stingy pitching that allowed only five runs. They jumped a half-game ahead of the Reds atop the NL Central and are a season-best seven games over .500 at 26-19.

“When we don’t show up with our offense, they show up with their pitching,” Albert Pujols said. “We put up two or three runs and it almost looks like the game is over.”

Holliday said he probably could play Friday night at Kansas City. Lance Berkman also was out with a sprained right wrist and is likely to miss at least a few more games.

“It’s like spraining your ankle,” Berkman said. “As soon as it feels better to run, you can run.”

J.A. Happ (3-5) had a season-high eight strikeouts for the Astros, allowing three runs in six innings. Houston has lost five in a row, totaling just 29 hits while getting outscored 22-10.

The Astros had six hits in both games against St. Louis and were 2 for 25 with runners on base in the series.

“When you don’t get timely hits, you don’t get a lot of runs,” manager Brad Mills said. “Yeah, you’re going to have some frustration. There’s no doubt about it.”

Pujols was 0 for 3 with a walk and has gone a career-high 91 at-bats and 104 plate appearances since his last home run. Pujols has been stuck on seven homers since April 23 and the homerless drought tops his previous worst of 89 at-bats at the end of the 2009 season when he led the NL with 47.

“I feel pretty good,” Pujols said. “So I think something’s coming.”

After the start was delayed 55 minutes by rain, McClellan (6-1) allowed two runs with five strikeouts and no walks. He retired the first 10 in order before Clint Barmes doubled with one out in the fourth for the Astros’ first baserunner.

Barmes went to third on Hunter Pence’s single and scored on Carlos Lee’s sacrifice fly.

McClellan hurt himself in the eighth with two wild pitches, doubling his season total. The second allowed Humberto Quintero to score the Astros’ second run.

The previous three seasons McClellan had been a setup man, and he replaced injured Adam Wainwright in the rotation this year. The right-hander has worked eight innings in two of his last three starts and he bounced back from his first loss in his previous appearance.

Fernando Salas worked the ninth for his fifth save in five chances.

The Cardinals opened the second with a single, walk and Laird’s fifth double of the season – one more than Pujols in only his 43rd at-bat – off the base of the left-field wall. Laird made his first start in eight days for the Cardinals, who are 8-2 when he starts.

Craig hit his second homer and first since April 11 on a full count leading off the sixth to make it 3-1. St. Louis capitalized on second baseman Bill Hall’s fielding error to start the seventh with an RBI single by Ryan Theriot for a 4-1 cushion.

Happ said Laird hit his “worst pitch of the game.” He was happy with the full-count pitch hammered by Craig.

“To be honest, I put the ball really where I wanted it,” Happ said. “He was a difference-maker, that’s for sure.”

NOTES: Hall returned to the Astros’ lineup after a two-day rest and was 0 for 3. … Craig had been 1 for 10 in the first three games of the homestand. … Cardinals starting catcher Yadier Molina is on a 10-for-15 tear with four straight multihit games, his best since compiling five straight June 16-20, 2009. … CF Colby Rasmus returned to the Cardinals’ lineup after missing four games due to an abdominal injury and had a double and a walk. … Theriot is 9 for 20 during a five-game hitting streak. … Quintero doubled and singled and has two straight multihit games.

Read More: Lance Berkman (RF – STL), Peter Kozma (SS – STL), Kyle McClellan (P – STL), Matt Holliday (LF – STL), Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals

(Sports Network) – The suddenly-streaking St. Louis Cardinals could be without two of their top hitters when they go for a two-game sweep of the Houston Astros this afternoon from Busch Stadium.

Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman both departed Wednesday’s 5-1 win over the Astros and are not expected to be in today’s starting lineup. Holliday experienced tightness in his left quadriceps in the third inning and said that he won’t know his status until he runs. Berkman departed in the fifth inning with a jammed wrist after making a great diving catch in right field. X-rays on the wrist were negative and Berkman doesn’t believe it’s too serious.

“I don’t think it’s too, too bad,” Berkman said on the team’s site. “I think it’s sprained. I think it’s more than just, ‘Oh, it’s sore,’ but I don’t think it’s as serious as being out a long time.”

The Cardinals have won three in a row and nine of 15 games to pull within a half-game of Cincinnati for the NL Central lead. In last night’s victory over the division-rival Astros, Jon Jay drove in two runs during a four-run third inning and Albert Pujols added an RBI single for St. Louis, which hasn’t won four in a row since closing out April with four straight victories. Yadier Molina had three hits for his fourth consecutive multi-hit game.

Berkman’s injury opened the door for Peter Kozma, who was recalled from Triple-A Memphis before the game and stroked an RBI double during the fifth inning in his major league debut. Kyle Lohse pushed his record to 5-2 with eight solid innings on the hill, allowing one run and six hits.

“Early on, I felt like I was kind of full on my fastball and missing a little bit, but after I got that figured out, it seemed like things got a little smoother,” Lohse said. “It’s always good to get the guys off the field as quick as possible.”

St. Louis is scheduled begin a nine-game road trip after today’s game, with visits to Kansas City, San Diego and Colorado, and will send Kyle McClellan to the mound against the ‘Stros. In his first year as a starter, McClellan is 5-1 with a 3.62 earned run average in eight games (7 starts) and is coming off his first loss of the season. He previously took the mound in Saturday’s 7-3 loss at Cincinnati and yielded four runs in six frames.

McClellan has given up four runs or more in three of his last four appearances and defeated Houston back on April 28 at Minute Maid Park. The right-hander is 1-2 with a 4.07 ERA in 18 career games (1 start) in this series.

Houston is riding a four-game losing streak and lost for the ninth time in 11 tries with last night’s four-run setback. Chris Johnson’s RBI single to score Carlos Lee in the seventh inning accounted for the Houston scoring, while starter Bud Norris dropped to 2-3 for allowing all five runs in five innings.

“They were swinging the bats pretty early in the counts, and I’m sure that was probably part of their game plan,” Norris said. “That’s a good-hitting lineup, and we’ve been fortunate enough to do so well against them the last couple of times. You can’t hold them down forever.”

The Astros are 0-3 on a seven-game road trip through Atlanta, St. Louis and Toronto, and have the worst record in the National League at 15-28.

Toeing the rubber for Houston Thursday will be J.A. Happ. Happ is 2-0 in three outings since a three-start losing streak and is coming off two solid starts in which he yielded a pair of runs in six innings. The lefty put that line up in Saturday’s 7-3 triumph over the New York Mets and moved within one win of the .500 mark at 3-4 in eight starts with a 5.40 ERA.

Happ lost to St. Louis on April 27 even though he limited the Cardinals to two runs in five innings of a 6-5 decision. He is 1-3 with a 5.27 ERA in five career starts against the Cardinals.

St. Louis won two of three meetings with Houston in late April, but the Astros are still a dominant 11-6 in the previous 17 matchups between the clubs.

Read More: Lance Berkman (RF – STL), Matt Holliday (LF – STL), Colby Rasmus (CF – STL), Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals

Colby Rasmus pinch-hit for the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday night after missing three consecutive games with abdominal pain, and in his post-game remarks manager Tony La Russa suggested Rasmus would have been available, in a closer game, for work as a defensive replacement. He’s no guarantee to play Thursday’s day-game against the Astros at home, but La Russa thinks he’s likely to be back in the lineup by the team’s interleague debut against the Kansas City Royals over the weekend; most of the more dangerous explanations for Rasmus’s discomfort appear to have been ruled out by now. 

Rasmus, who worked a 3-2 count before grounding out in his ninth-inning appearance Wednesday, is hitting .305/.393/.461 for the Cardinals, with three triples to go with three home runs and 15 RBI. The Cardinals could use his bat and his glove, with both Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman hurting after Wednesday’s game against the Astros, but Jon Jay’s great work in Rasmus’s stead has stabilized an outfield that has threatened, of late, to be in flux. 

ST. LOUIS (AP)—One bad inning was Bud Norris’(notes) lament.

The St. Louis Cardinals went down in order the first two innings against the
Houston Astros’ right-hander, who helped himself with a pickoff. But Norris
struggled with his control in a four-run third, facing 10 batters in a 5-1 loss
on Wednesday night.

“It was a tough one,” Norris said. “I made some good pitches, I made some
bad pitches. They found some holes and we weren’t able to catch many breaks.”

Norris (2-3) was knocked out after five innings against a team he’s
dominated. He’d been 5-1 with a 1.97 ERA against the Cardinals and 4-0 in St.
Louis, while going only 17-15 overall.

Norris needed 23 pitches the first two innings and 34 in the third,
including a bases-loaded walk to Allen Craig(notes). Not including an intentional walk,
the right-hander was behind in the count against six and two other at-bats were
consecutive first-pitch singles by Ryan Theriot(notes) and Jon Jay(notes).

“That’s something we’re not used to seeing,” manager Brad Mills(notes) said.
“When you don’t have a feel, you’re going to get behind sometimes.

“Bud’s been getting ahead, and we’ve been talking about the economy of
pitches to get him deep into ballgames.”

Kyle Lohse(notes) threw eight dominant innings to beat the for the second time in
less than a month. Jon Jay had two RBIs in a four-run third and started a double
play in the seventh with a diving catch in center field. Pinch-hitter Pete Kozma
— hitting for the injured Lance Berkman(notes)—had an RBI double in his first career
at-bat for the Cardinals, who have won three in a row while limiting the
opposition to only three runs.

Michael Bourn(notes) and Humberto Quintero(notes) had two hits apiece for the Astros, who
have lost four in a row and totaled four runs the last three games.

“The pitcher was throwing the ball well tonight, getting ahead of the
hitters and avoiding deep counts,” Mills said. “Then, they were able to make
some nice defensive plays as well.

“Those things together, it’s tough to get an inning built up.”

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa used three players in left field and three
at second base to compensate for injuries to left fielder Matt Holliday(notes) and
Berkman, and finished with only backup catcher Gerald Laird(notes) on the bench.
Holliday was removed after two innings with a tight left quadriceps, perhaps
from making a running catch at the warning track, and Kozma pinch hit in the
sixth for Berkman, removed as a precaution with tightness in his right wrist not
long after he charged to make a diving catch in right field.

Lohse (5-2) allowed a run on six hits in eight innings, his fourth outing of
eight or more innings, and has a 2.17 ERA. He was 4-8 with a 6.55 ERA last year
while battling a forearm injury that required surgery in May.

Lohse threw seven scoreless innings at Houston on April 27 and the run was
at 13 straight before Carlos Lee(notes) doubled to begin the seventh and scored on
Chris Johnson’s(notes) single. Johnson was easily doubled off after Jay made a nice
running, diving catch of Clint Barmes’(notes) drive.

Albert Pujols(notes) is homerless in his last 88 at-bats, one off his career worst
at the end of the 2009 season, after going 1 for 4 with an RBI single in the
third.

Craig started for the second straight game at second base, where he has
virtually no experience, and handled five chances flawlessly before going to the
outfield.

NOTES: Norris’ loss leaves Manny Parra(notes) (3-0) and Carlos Zambrano(notes) (6-0) as
the only pitchers with perfect records in St. Louis with four or more starts.
… Johnson is 7-for-16 the last five games and has reached base safely in 10 of
the last 10 plate appearances. … Kozma, the Cardinals’ first-round pick in
2007, was recalled earlier in the day after IF Nick Punto(notes) was placed on the DL
with a right forearm injury. Kozma finished the game at 2B. … Despite an
0-for-14 slump, Holliday leads the National League with a .358 average. Berkman
is batting .349. … Cardinals LPH Brian Tallet(notes) (broken right hand) is set for a
second rehab outing on Friday. … La Russa, who returned from shingles on
Monday, was uncomfortable Wednesday, saying “I’m itching and stinging.” …
Longtime broadcaster Milo Hamilton joined the Astros in anticipation of the
franchise’s first visit to Toronto on Friday, which will be Hamilton’s 59th
stadium.

CBSSports.com wire reports
May 18, 2011

ST. LOUIS — Kyle Lohse paid no attention to the ever-changing defensive lineup behind him. He just kept attacking the Houston Astros’ lineup.

Lohse threw eight dominant innings to beat the Astros for the second time in less than a month, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-1 victory Wednesday night. Manager Tony La Russa used three players in left field and three at second base to compensate for what he believed to be minor injuries to left fielder Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman.

“I just kept throwing it up there and letting them hit to whoever was somewhere, I don’t know,” Lohse said. “I couldn’t even tell who was where at the end.

“We’ve got of guys that can play different positions and you need that, especially on a weird night like tonight when guys are going down.”

Jon Jay had two RBI in a four-run third and started a double play in the seventh with a diving catch in center field. Pinch-hitter Pete Kozma — hitting for Berkman — had an RBI double in his first career at-bat for the Cardinals, who have won three in a row while limiting the opposition to only three runs.

Bud Norris was knocked out after five innings against a team he’s dominated. Norris (2-3) had been 5-1 with a 1.97 ERA against the Cardinals and 4-0 in St. Louis, while going only 17-15 overall.

“That’s a good hitting lineup,” Norris said. “I’m fortunate to do so well against them the last couple of times, but you can’t hold them down forever.

“They found some holes and it’s a little tough to swallow, but that’s the game of baseball.”

Norris faced 10 batters in the third, issuing a bases-loaded walk to Allen Craig, and allowed five runs on seven hits in his second-shortest appearance of the year.

Michael Bourn and Humberto Quintero had two hits apiece for the Astros, who have lost four in a row and totaled four runs the last three games.

La Russa finished with only backup catcher Gerald Laird on the bench. Holliday was removed after two innings with a tight left quadriceps, perhaps from making a running catch at the warning track, and Kozma pinch hit in the sixth for Berkman, removed as a precaution with tightness in his right wrist not long after he charged to make a diving catch in right field.

“Holliday gave me a nod, which makes me think that he’ll be back soon,” La Russa said, adding that his cleanup hitter might not be back for a day game Thursday.

Berkman said he jammed his wrist into the ground getting the catch. X-rays showed no problems.

“I didn’t want to get jerked out of the game right there, I mean heck, there’s adrenaline and everything else and then you can kind of identify it,” Berkman said. “Tomorrow morning will be a good test to see how it feels when I wake up.”

Lohse (5-2) allowed a run on six hits in eight innings, his fourth outing of eight or more innings, and has a 2.17 ERA. He was 4-8 with a 6.55 ERA last year while battling a forearm injury that required surgery in May.

“I’m just trying to keep things simple, trying not to think of the big picture and stay focused,” Lohse said. “I haven’t looked back so far.”

Lohse threw seven scoreless innings at Houston on April 27 and the run was at 13 straight before Carlos Lee doubled to begin the seventh and scored on Chris Johnson’s single. Johnson was easily doubled off after Jay made a nice running, diving catch of Clint Barmes’ drive.

Albert Pujols is homerless in his last 88 at-bats, one off his career worst at the end of the 2009 season, after going 1 for 4 with an RBI single in the third.

Craig started for the second straight game at second base, where he has virtually no experience, and handled five chances flawlessly before going to the outfield.

Notes

• Kozma, the Cardinals’ first-round pick in 2007, was recalled earlier in the day after IF Nick Punto was placed on the DL with a right forearm injury. Kozma finished the game at 2B.
• Despite an 0-for-14 slump, Holliday leads the National League with a .358 average. Berkman is batting .349.
• Cardinals LPH Brian Tallet (broken right hand) is set for a second rehab outing on Friday.
• La Russa, who returned from shingles on Monday, was uncomfortable Wednesday, saying “I’m itching and stinging.”
• Longtime broadcaster Milo Hamilton joined the Astros in anticipation of the franchise’s first visit to Toronto on Friday, which will be Hamilton’s 59th stadium.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kyle Lohse paid no attention to the ever-changing defensive lineup behind him. He just kept attacking the Houston Astros’ lineup.

Lohse threw eight dominant innings to beat the Astros for the second time in less than a month, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-1 victory Wednesday night. Manager Tony La Russa used three players in left field and three at second base to compensate for what he believed to be minor injuries to left fielder Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman.

“I just kept throwing it up there and letting them hit to whoever was somewhere, I don’t know,” Lohse said. “I couldn’t even tell who was where at the end.

“We’ve got of guys that can play different positions and you need that, especially on a weird night like tonight when guys are going down.”

Jon Jay had two RBIs in a four-run third and started a double play in the seventh with a diving catch in center field. Pinch-hitter Pete Kozma — hitting for Berkman — had an RBI double in his first career at-bat for the Cardinals, who have won three in a row while limiting the opposition to only three runs.

Bud Norris was knocked out after five innings against a team he’s dominated. Norris (2-3) had been 5-1 with a 1.97 ERA against the Cardinals and 4-0 in St. Louis, while going only 17-15 overall.

“That’s a good hitting lineup,” Norris said. “I’m fortunate to do so well against them the last couple of times, but you can’t hold them down forever.

“They found some holes and it’s a little tough to swallow, but that’s the game of baseball.”

Norris faced 10 batters in the third, issuing a bases-loaded walk to Allen Craig, and allowed five runs on seven hits in his second-shortest appearance of the year.

Michael Bourn and Humberto Quintero had two hits apiece for the Astros, who have lost four in a row and totaled four runs the last three games.

La Russa finished with only backup catcher Gerald Laird on the bench. Holliday was removed after two innings with a tight left quadriceps, perhaps from making a running catch at the warning track, and Kozma pinch hit in the sixth for Berkman, removed as a precaution with tightness in his right wrist not long after he charged to make a diving catch in right field.

“Holliday gave me a nod, which makes me think that he’ll be back soon,” La Russa said, adding that his cleanup hitter might not be back for a day game Thursday.

Berkman said he jammed his wrist into the ground getting the catch. X-rays showed no problems.

“I didn’t want to get jerked out of the game right there, I mean heck, there’s adrenaline and everything else and then you can kind of identify it,” Berkman said. “Tomorrow morning will be a good test to see how it feels when I wake up.”

Lohse (5-2) allowed a run on six hits in eight innings, his fourth outing of eight or more innings, and has a 2.17 ERA. He was 4-8 with a 6.55 ERA last year while battling a forearm injury that required surgery in May.

“I’m just trying to keep things simple, trying not to think of the big picture and stay focused,” Lohse said. “I haven’t looked back so far.”

Lohse threw seven scoreless innings at Houston on April 27 and the run was at 13 straight before Carlos Lee doubled to begin the seventh and scored on Chris Johnson’s single. Johnson was easily doubled off after Jay made a nice running, diving catch of Clint Barmes’ drive.

Albert Pujols is homerless in his last 88 at-bats, one off his career worst at the end of the 2009 season, after going 1 for 4 with an RBI single in the third.

Craig started for the second straight game at second base, where he has virtually no experience, and handled five chances flawlessly before going to the outfield.

NOTES: Kozma, the Cardinals’ first-round pick in 2007, was recalled earlier in the day after IF Nick Punto was placed on the DL with a right forearm injury. Kozma finished the game at 2B. … Despite an 0-for-14 slump, Holliday leads the National League with a .358 average. Berkman is batting .349. … Cardinals LPH Brian Tallet (broken right hand) is set for a second rehab outing on Friday. … La Russa, who returned from shingles on Monday, was uncomfortable Wednesday, saying “I’m itching and stinging.” … Longtime broadcaster Milo Hamilton joined the Astros in anticipation of the franchise’s first visit to Toronto on Friday, which will be Hamilton’s 59th stadium.

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday placed infielder Nick Punto on the disabled list with a right forearm flexor strain and recalled Pete Kozma from Class AAA Memphis.

Kozma (pronounced Koz-muh), 23, has been assigned uniform No. 47 and will be available when the Cardinals play host to Houston at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. Kozma was the Cardinals’ No. 1 draft pick in 2007. This will be his first trip to the major leagues.

Kozma was batting just .220 (31-for-141) with 17 RBIs in 38 games at Memphis. But he had 12 RBIs in 16 games in May, and had a four-RBI game Saturday against Fresno. He followed that with a 4-for-4 performance Sunday.

The 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting Kozma is a native of Owasso, Okla. He joins Colby Rasmus and Tyler Greene as former No. 1 St. Louis draft selections currently on the team’s big-league roster.

Brett Wallace, traded to Oakland to acquire Matt Holliday in 2009, was also a Cardinals No. 1 draft selection (2008) and is in town with the Astros for the two-game series at Busch Stadium.

Kyle Lohse (4-2, 2.31 ERA) will pitch for the Cardinals against Cardinals killer Bud Norris (2-2, 3.42 ERA). Norris is 5-1 with a 1.97 ERA in seven career starts against St. Louis, with 13 walks and 41 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings.

The lineups:

ASTROS (15-27)

Bourn, CF

Sanchez, 2B

Pence, RF

Lee, LF

Wallance, 1B

Johnson, 3B

Barmes, SS

Quintero, C

Norris, P

CARDINALS (24-19)

Theriot, SS

Jay, CF

Pujols, 1B

Holliday, LF

Berkman, 1B

Craig, 2B

Molina, C

Descalso, 3B

Lohse, P

ST. LOUIS (AP)—Take it from his peers, the old Lance Berkman(notes) is back.

Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy(notes) marveled at the keen eye and
discipline to hold off on pitches far too close to take. While enjoying a career
rebirth at age 35, the third big bat in the St. Louis Cardinals’ deep lineup
doesn’t need bifocals yet.

A glance at the Top 10 is a blast from the past. After a day off Thursday,
Berkman was tied for first in RBIs, second in homers and third in batting
average.

“I told the umpire behind the plate, ‘Man, that guy, he’s really locked in
because he’s taking borderline strikes like they’re nothing,”’ Lucroy said.
“When you’re locked in like that, you see them coming.”

Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said it was tough enough dealing with Albert
Pujols(notes) and Matt Holliday(notes).

“That middle of the lineup,” Rodriguez, “I can’t think of any other
lineup that has guys like that.”

Coming off his worst year, Berkman entered free agency with a snub. The
Houston Astros, his team for a dozen years before Berkman went to the Yankees at
the trade deadline last year, had zero interest.

“I think it’s well-documented,” Berkman said. “They said ‘Take a hike.’
It was a short conversation.”

Berkman’s first trip back to Houston was mostly positive, although there was
a smattering of boos before each at-bat and fans wielded dueling signs, one
welcoming and the other spurning. Berkman also had a bit of a confrontation with
longtime Astros broadcaster Milo Hamilton, who had accused Berkman of not being
in shape last season.

“That I didn’t really do my rehab or insinuated that I didn’t really do it,
that’s what he said,” Berkman said. “It wasn’t true. He didn’t exactly
apologize but he definitely came up and said really that he just wanted to clear
the air.

“I’m not the kind of guy to worry too much about that.”

After the Astros said no last winter, Berkman wasted little time signing
with St. Louis.

“I actually called them and said, ‘Do y’all want me?’ Berkman said.
“There’s not another two or three teams I would even consider playing for, and
this was the first place I wanted to come.”

Then he started dialing back the clock, taking a regular outfield spot for
the first time since 2004 in addition to rediscovering his stroke as the hammer
in the Cardinals’ fifth slot.

Berkman is batting .357 average with 10 homers and 32 RBIs, and a .444
on-base percentage was every bit as impressive. Twice he’s been player of the
week.

“What can you say? He’s on fire right now,” Marlins third baseman Greg
Dobbs(notes) said. “Maybe next time we see him, he won’t be.”

Actually, Berkman has cooled off lately. Yet he’s compensated for a 1-for-16
tailspin the last week that dropped his average below .400 by drawing eight
walks.

The lone hit during the slump was a three-run homer batting right-handed,
his weaker side from a power standpoint.

“I’m just going up there and trying to have good at-bats,” Berkman said.
“It’s been a good run.”

The additions of Berkman and shortstop Ryan Theriot(notes) indicate the Cardinals’
willingness to trade defense for offense. They’ll be happy if Berkman makes the
routine plays and hits the cutoff man, and manager Tony La Russa loves Theriot’s
gritty approach and knack for participating in rallies and will live with
reduced range.

General manager John Mozeliak said that “wasn’t necessarily” how he
approached the offseason after the Cardinals missed the postseason for the third
time in four years.

“We certainly put an emphasis on improving our offense,” Mozeliak said.
“To get the performance and production out of him is outstanding.”

The big start prompts discussion that Berkman could be the Cardinals’ first
baseman next year. Pujols will be a free agent for the first time in his career
after rejecting a multiyear deal that included a percentage of ownership at the
start of free agency, and the Cardinals have a second challenge to a top-heavy
payroll with pitcher Chris Carpenter(notes) also due for free agency.

While rehabbing from a left knee injury that led to career lows in average
(.248), homers (14) and RBIs (58) with the Astros and Yankees, Berkman shed
about 20 pounds and worked with a personal trainer. La Russa said he wanted
Berkman before he learned any of that.

“He’s a great fit,” La Russa said. “I don’t think it’s that tough to show
confidence in him.”

Less than one year ago Lance Berkman was one of the faces of St. Louis Cardinals angst; now he’s the face of a Cardinals offense that has seemed, recently, unable to do wrong, at least for very long. As Berkman returns to Houston for the first time since he was traded to the New York Yankees on July 31, 2010, it’s worth reminding ourselves one final time just how brutal Berkman was to the Cardinals. 

Berkman was a fierce hitter for the Astros—a career line of .286/.410/.549, with 326 home runs and 1090 RBI—but he saved a special venom for the Cardinals, against whom he hit .313/.415/.601. That peaked in 2001, when he hit .381/.466/.667 against them while a promising Cardinals rookie “only” hit .276/.394/.571 against the Astros. But he saved a little for the end of his Cardinal-antagonizing career, too, hitting .421 with a .577 OBP and two of his 14 home runs against St. Louis in 2010. 

If you’re looking for a reason to name Berkman an honorary Cardinal for life, I have one secret to reveal: The team he hit the hardest, slugging nearly .700 against them in 155 games, was none other than the Cincinnati Reds. 

Lance Berkman is back in his old home tonight. But this time, he will be surrounded by the St. Louis Cardinals rather than the Houston Astros.

Berkman, a Cards’ outfielder, returns to Houston when the Cardinals open a three-game series against the Astros. St. Louis had an open date Monday.

From 1999-2010, Berkman served as a standout player for the Astros. He was a five-time All-Star and played in the 2005 World Series. The Astros traded him to the New York Yankees last July and then he signed a one-year free agent contract with the Cardinals in December.

So Berkman, a 35-year-old switch-hitter, doesn’t expect a welcoming party in Houston.

“I feel like I’ve kind of turned the page, and part of me just wants to be done with it,” he told MLB.com. “But I know I’m going to have to go back in there and face a lot of questions, and things like that.”

He added, “Since I’m on the other side, you’ve got to try to win and do the best you can for the team you’re playing for now.”

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder is doing his best to live up to his one-year, $8 million contact. The Cardinals certainly have no complaints.

“He has been a great addition, both on the field and in the clubhouse,” St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said.

Berkman is hitting .377 with six home runs and 15 RBIs. He’s in the middle of a lineup that features Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, so there’s reason for him to be successful.

“My legs feel good, my knees aren’t bothering me and I’m healthier than I have been in a while,” Berkman said. “I have a good base to hit from and my swing feels really good.

“I hope I can keep it going.”

St. Louis sends lefty Jaime Garcia (3-0) against Cards’ nemesis Bud Norris (1-1) in tonight’s opener. The Astros are stuck at the bottom of the NL Central standings. They are 8-14 and four games behind the first-place Cardinals.

Once 2-6, the Cards have won 10 of their last 14 games. They just completed a 4-2 homestand, winning two of three games from Washington and Cincinnati.

Jake Westbrook (2-2) pitched six strong innings Sunday during their 3-0 victory over the Reds. Reliever Mitchell Boggs worked the ninth for his third save in week. The Cardinals have converted four of nine save opportunities.

“I felt great,” Westbrook said. “It was just a matter of going out there and being better than I have been in my other starts.”

Westbrook came into the game with a bloated 9.82 ERA and a rocky three-inning start Wednesday here against the Nationals. La Russa went with him on three days of rest and Westbrook responded. He struck our four and walked three in an 87-pitch outing.

Following the Cardinals’ three games in Houston, they’ll go to Atlanta for three more this weekend. Florida and Milwaukee then come calling to Busch Stadium for seven games next week.