Houston Astros starting pitcher Bud Norris struck out 12 as the Astros fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 at Minute Maid Park.

The Cardinals pounced on Norris for 3 runs in the top of the first inning.  The second hitter of the game, Daniel Descalso homered to right and then Carlos Beltran and Alan Craig scored on consecutive hits to give the Cardinals their 3 runs in the first inning. The Cardinals added their fourth run in the third inning.

The Astros scored all of their runs in the sixth inning with Chris Johnson starting the rally. With one out, Johnson tripled to center. Brett Wallace then brought Johnson home on a single. Wallace then scored on a Brian Bogusevic pinch-hit single and Jose Altuve drove in Jason Castro on his own RBI single.

Down 4-3 in the eighth, the Astros had a chance to tie the game. Jason Castro was on first base and Marwin Gonzales bunted down the first base line in an odd place which saw Castro getting thrown out at home. MLB.com describes the play:

...A throwing error by first baseman Matt Adams, ended beautifully with Descalso (second baseman) firing a strike to catcher Yadier Molina, who tagged out a sliding Castro to preserve the lead.

Castro getting thrown out at home killed any chance of an Astros rally and Jason Motte shut the door in the ninth to pick up his 10 save for the Cardinals.

Bud Norris' record dropped to 5-3 in 6 innings of work. He struck out 12, giving up no walks and 7 hits.

Adam Wainwright improved his record to 5-6 and he pitched 5 2/3 innings in the win.

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