Despite a strong showing from starter Bud Norris, who struck out 12 batters in six innings as well outhitting St. Louis 12-6, the Astros failed to rally from a 4-0 deficit early in a 4-3 Cardinals win on Wednesday.
Norris was strong with his fastball, but was roughed up early for three runs in the first inning. Still, the Astros' pitching staff managed a season high 15 strikeouts in the game, but couldn't get the offense going until they were already down 4-0. Cardinals' starter Adam Wainwright threw four no-hit innings.
The Astros would rally, but it wasn't enough. Chris Johnson tripled in the sixth inning, and then scored on a Brett Wallace single. Wallace would score on a pinch-hit single by Brian Bogusevic. Jose Altuve's single scored Castro to trim the Cardinals' lead to one, 4-3, but Houston wouldn't be able to rally again.
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