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 Wainwright's best outing of the year, combined with a two-run
double from Matt Holliday in the third inning, led the Cardinals to
a 2-0 victory, snapping the Rockies' five-game winning streak.
Wainwright (4-3) came into the game having allowed at least three
runs in all eight starts this season. Despite having won his last
three decisions to even his record, he had an unusually ERA high,
for him, 6.80. He allowed seven runs, six earned, in five innings in
his last start against the Los Angeles Angels.
"I knew in the bullpen before the game that some of the things we
had been working on had clicked into place," Wainwright said. "We've
continued to build my leg strength, to make little adjustments to my
delivery. I've continued to stay positive. When you stay positive,
even when you are struggling, a lot of good things can come of that.
"There were a lot of lessons I learned going through that process.
The thing I can control is making one pitch at a time and winning
that first game. I just have got to keep making pitches."
 Wainwright's 6 2/3-inning outing was his longest of the year. He
scattered six hits, walked one and struck out five.
He had to pitch out of some jams early, including a leadoff triple
to start the game, and an error by shortstop Aledmys Diaz on what
should have been an inning-ending double play. He also stranded two
runners in the third and a runner on third in the fourth.
Wainwright left with runners on first and third in the seventh, but
Kevin Siegrist got a strikeout to end the inning, and he and Trevor
Rosenthal preserved the shutout.
Rosenthal pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his eighth save.
It was the first time this season the Cardinals won while scoring
three runs or fewer. They were 0-12 before the game in those
situations.
"That was the kind of start we've been hoping for," St. Louis
manager Mike Matheny said. "It was exactly what we needed."
Wainwright made his biggest pitches when he needed them, keeping the
Rockies hitless in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Colorado finished the game 0-for-10 with runners on second, third or
both.
"We had a couple of opportunities especially early, but we never
really got settled in," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "It looked
like he changed speeds, used the breaking ball well. (We) just never
got going against him.
"I know he hasn't been vintage Wainwright so far early this year,
but he knows what he's doing out there. There's a lot of wisdom and
a lot of feel of the pitch, and he still has a good arm and good
stuff, and we saw that tonight."
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Carlos Gonzalez was one of the Rockies' hitters who was victimized
by Wainwright, twice flying out to leave runners on second base.
"So far his year's has not been very good," Gonzalez said. "But he's
just one of those pitchers that's got a really good track record. He
pitched like the old Wainwright today."
Holliday gave Wainwright the only runs he needed in the third. With
one out, Chris Rusin walked Matt Carpenter and gave up a single to
Stephen Piscotty, one of his three hits in the game. Holliday then
continued to torment his original team with a two-run double down
the left field line.
Holliday, drafted and signed by the Rockies, broke an 0-for-15 slump
with his 36th and 37th career RBIs in 40 games against the Rockies.
Rusin (1-2) allowed just two runs on six hits in six innings. He
walked two and struck out five.
Rusin has not won a start on the road since Aug. 9, 2013, at St.
Louis, when he was with the Cubs. He fell to 0-10 in 18 road starts
since that game. It was his fourth road start this season, and he
was not involved in the decision in the first three.
NOTES: Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa is set to make a third start
Thursday during a rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque. De La
Rosa, coming back from a groin injury, lasted a combined 7 2/3
innings in his first two rehab starts. ... Cardinals SS Jhonny
Peralta, out since undergoing surgery on his left thumb in spring
training, took batting practice on the field for the first time
before Wednesday night's game and could go on a rehab assignment
next week. ... RHP Alex Reyes, the Cardinals' top prospect who has
been serving a 50-game suspension for testing positive for
marijuana, is set to make his season debut on Sunday for Triple-A
Memphis. ... The Cardinals' home game on June 5 vs. the Giants has
been switched from a day game to 7:05 p.m. CT so it can be televised
by ESPN.
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