Lars Nootbaar met a three-Run Homer to help lift St. Louis Cardinals over the visiting Houston Astros 4-1 Wednesday afternoon.
Thomas Saggese went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI when St. Louis finished 4-2 at home.
In his first start for the Cardinals this season since he moved from Tjurpen, Steven Matz (1-0) allowed a run of two hits in five rounds. He knocked out five strokes and went no one.
Ryan Fernandez, Kyle Leahy and Phil Maton each beat a speechless inning for St. Louis. Ryan Helsley closed the ninth round for his third rescue.
Astros jug Ronel Blanco (1-2) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in five rounds. He knocked out one.
Houston took a quick 1-0 lead in the first round. Jose Altuve met a lead single, moved to the third base of Jeremy Pena’s single and then scored on Isaac Paredes Groundout. Pena came so far the third base with one before Matz knocked out Christian Walker and retired Yaainer Diaz on a flight.
Cardinals threatened in the third round. Nootbaar pulled a one-out walk and moved to others on a flight, but Brendan Donovan jumped out to strive him.
St. Louis left another runner in points in the fourth round. Alec Burleson was enough on an Infield single with one out and stole the second base with two outs. But Blanco retired Yohel Pozo on a foundation for ending the threat.
The Cardinals advanced 3-1 in the fifth round. Victor Scott II led with a bundle single, Saggese followed with a single and Nootbaar launched his Homer.
St. Louis increased its lead to 4-1 in the sixth round.
Jordan Walker and Pozo singled to start the inning of the shipper Logan Vanwey. Following Saggeses one-out RBI-Dubble, Steven relieved Oberrt Vanwey and retired the next battle to prevent further problems.
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