Cards hope to bust out the brooms on Astros

Cards hope to bust out the brooms on Astros

Right-handed reclamation project Kyle Lohse, one of the surprise success stories of 2008, tries again to continue the momentum into 2009 when the St. Louis Cardinals go for a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros at Busch Stadium.

A former two-time double-digit winner in the American League with the Minnesota Twins, the 30-year-old native of Chico, California slid to consecutive sub-.500 seasons from 2004 through 2007 before signing a one-year deal with the Cardinals worth $4.25 million in 2008.

Suddenly, he blossomed under the full-time stewardship of manager Tony LaRussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan, going a career-best 15-6 over 33 starts and 200 innings with a career-best 3.78 earned run average.

He opened this season with more success, scattering five hits and two earned runs over seven innings of a 9-3 defeat of Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Lohse was 3-0 in four starts against the Astros last season, allowing 21 hits and seven runs in 26 innings.

For Houston, southpaw Wandy Rodriguez makes his second start of 2009 looking for his initial win.

The 30-year-old native of the Dominican Republic started Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs and allowed four hits and a run in six innings while getting a no- decision in the Astros' 3-2 win.

In 2008, the 5-foot-11, 160-pounder won nine games for the third straight season, going 9-7 over 25 starts and 137 1/3 innings with a 3.54 ERA.

He was 1-2 in four games against the Cardinals, allowing 20 hits and 11 runs - three earned - in 24 1/3 innings and holding St. Louis batters to a .222 average.

On Saturday, Albert Pujols belted a grand slam and a three-run homer as St. Louis dominated the Astros, 11-2. Pujols, Skip Schumaker, Colby Rasmus and Joe Thurston each scored twice for the Cardinals, who beat Houston 5-3 on Friday.

Pinch-hitter David Freese, Schumaker, Thurston and Rick Ankiel had an RBI each for the victors.

Adam Wainwright (1-0) threw five scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while fanning four and walking three to collect the win.

Michael Bourn and pinch-hitter Jason Smith had an RBI apiece for the Astros, who were outhit 19-7 on Saturday. Geoff Blum and Bourn both scored for Houston.

Veteran Roy Oswalt (0-2) had a forgettable outing, giving up six runs on nine hits in six innings. The right-hander also struckout four and walked two.

St. Louis was 8-7 versus the Astros last season.