Houston, TX (Sports Network) – J.A. Happ tossed a two-hit shutout to lift the Houston Astros to a 3-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game set.

Happ (5-2) walked just one and struck out four for the Astros, who have won seven of their last nine. Brett Wallace went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored while Hunter Pence had two hits and a run scored in the win.

Jake Westbrook (1-3) went seven innings and was charged with three runs on nine hits and a walk for the reeling Cardinals, who have dropped six of their last seven and are in danger of losing more ground to first-place Cincinnati in the NL Central.