Homers power Cardinals past Astros

HOUSTON -- Allen Craig and Daniel Descalso homered to back Adam Wainwright, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Houston Astros 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Descalso's homer came during a three-run first inning, and Craig connected in the third to make it 4-1. Craig also had an RBI single in the first.

Wainwright (5-6) yielded seven hits and three runs with eight strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings to improve to 5-0 in six starts at Minute Maid Park.

Houston starter Bud Norris (5-3) allowed seven hits and four runs with a season-high 12 strikeouts and no walks over six innings. He became the first Astros pitcher to strike out at least 12 without a walk since Shane Reynolds in 1999.

Houston scored three in the sixth to get within one but couldn't capitalize on opportunities in the seventh and eighth. The Astros finished with 12 hits but left 13 runners on base.

Wainwright didn't allow a hit until Jason Castro singled on a grounder to center field with one out in the fifth. Norris and Jose Altuve hit consecutive singles after that to load the bases.

Wainwright ended the threat by striking out Jed Lowrie and Fernando Martinez.

Castro got his third hit on a single with no outs in the eighth. Pinch-hitter Marwin Gonzalez singled on a bunt, but Matt Adams overthrew Descalso, who was covering first base. That sent Gonzalez to second and Castro toward home, but he was out on a throw by Descalso.

Gonzalez was injured on the play when he tripped over first base. He hobbled off the field with what appeared to be a right foot or ankle injury.

Jason Motte replaced Mitchell Boggs with two outs and walked Lowrie, but Martinez struck out to end the inning. Motte remained in for the ninth and allowed one hit before earning his 10th save.