Cardinals have problem in Houston, 7-4 loss to Astros

Jon Singleton (28) and Yainer Diaz of the Houston Astros celebrate after a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Monday, June 3, 2024, in Houston. The Astros won 7-4. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

After hitting two first-inning home runs off Astros ace pitcher Justin Verlander, the bullpen faltered and St. Louis suffered a 7-4 loss to the Astros Monday night in Texas.

Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman both homered in the first inning against Verlander to give the Cards an early 2-0 lead. Gorman hit his second home run of the game in the 5th inning to increase the Cards’ lead to 4-2.

Then the bottom of the 8th inning happened. Astros third baseman Alex Bregman tied the game at 4-4 with a home run off Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero. Yainer Diaz then delivered the big hit, a two-run homer off Romero giving the Astros a final lead at 6-4.