Pineiro shines as Cards win 5-3

When I think of Joel Pineiro, I don’t see a good picture. I think of a guy who has a high ERA and doesn’t win many games. Thankfully, my mind can be put to rest tonight.

Pineiro pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up 8 hits and 2 runs (both earned) as well as a walk and striking out 2. Skip Schumaker had a great night, going 3 for 5 with a run and RBI. Ryan Ludwick also went 2 for 3 with a solo home run in the bottom of the 7th.

Mike Hampton didn’t pitch a bad game (5 IP, 4 H, 3 R – all earned, 4 BB, 5 K), but it wasn’t enough to get the job done. Most of the Houston offense struggled except for Carlos Lee, who went 3 for 4 with a solo home run, and Geoff Blum, who went 2 for 3 with a double, walk, and run.

However, the late innings weren’t easy to watch. Josh Kinney struggled in finding the strikezone and walked the bases loaded in the 6th, also walking in a run in the same inning. He also gave up the home run to Lee. Jason Motte had come in to close the 9th, but as in his last appearance, struggled to close the door. Motte allowed two hits before being pulled. Kyle McClellan shut the door by getting the final two outs and striking out Hunter Pence to end the game.

The Cards are now 3-2, while the Astros fall to 1-3.

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