Something about rubber matches hasn't been good for the Astros.
Houston lost its eighth-straight rubber match, this one by a 14-2 score against the St. Louis Cardinals. J.A. Happ gave up four earned runs over 4 2/3 innings and picked up the loss. Houston led 2-0 after two innings, but the Cardinals scored three in the third and didn't look back.
Among bullpen arms, David Carpenter gave up a run in one inning of work, Rhiner Cruz gave up five in one inning, Wesley Wright gave up two in 1/3 of an inning and even outfielder Brian Bogusevic pitched an inning, but gave up two runs.
Jed Lowrie was the only Astro to record multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the first inning.
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