|
 Yadier Molina's eighth-inning solo homer lifted St. Louis to a 4-3
win over San Francisco on Wednesday, capping the Cardinals' 6-3
homestand and leaving them with a 46-19 mark at Busch Stadium. The
club, which entered Thursday's action with a five-game lead in the
National League Central, will play 26 of its final 42 games away
from the Mound City, where the Cardinals are still a very solid
31-24. The Padres are coming off a three-game sweep of Atlanta and
have won seven of their last nine overall. They will give the ball
to right-hander Andrew Cashner, who stifled the Cardinals in a San
Diego win last month, opposite St. Louis veteran John Lackey.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH John Lackey (10-7, 2.87 ERA) vs.
Padres RH Andrew Cashner (4-12, 4.20)
Lackey picked up his 10th win with 8 1/3 solid innings against Miami
on Saturday to reach double digits in victories for the 12th
straight time. He also owns 12 consecutive quality starts - two shy
of his career high - and has posted a 2.12 ERA during the run.
Lackey has never pitched in Petco Park but has faced the Padres
three times, going 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA.
Cashner allowed four earned runs and seven hits in five innings -
his shortest start since June 21 - in a no-decision at Colorado on
Saturday. He is 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA in four outings since his last
win on July 24. The 24-year-old limited the Cardinals to one run and
a season-low three hits in six innings earlier this season in his
first career start against St. Louis after six bullpen appearances.
[to top of second column] |
WALK-OFFS
1. Padres 3B Yangervis Solarte was 4-for-7 with two homers, one
double and five RBIs in the final two games of the Atlanta series.
2. Cardinals RF Jason Heyward (hamstring) has missed two straight
starts but appeared as a pinch hitter in Wednesday's win.
3. St. Louis LF Stephen Piscotty has two home runs, one triple and
two doubles during a five-game hitting streak (.400).
PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Padres 3
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