Wainwright dominates in Cardinals' win over Astros

ST. LOUIS -- Adam Wainwright was given a huge early cushion against a team that's been pushed around for months.

He did not let it go to his head. The St. Louis Cardinals right-hander just kept mowing down them.

Wainwright matched his career high with 12 strikeouts in a five-hitter, and the Cardinals punished rookie Lucas Harrell with six runs in the first three innings to help get over an excruciating 19-inning loss two days earlier with a 7-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

"I tried to keep them off the basepaths," Wainwright said. "Sometimes a young team like that is most dangerous when they're behind, so I told myself 'Don't let up. Don't let your focus go. Keep making pitches.'"

Skip Schumaker and Yadier Molina had two RBIs apiece for the Cardinals, who got six hits in the first seven at-bats during a four-run first. They then capitalized on a pair of walks to open a two-run third.

Jon Jay had three hits and an RBI in the win.

"We're not thinking about the other day," Schumaker said. "It's why you play 162. I know a lot of people are bringing that up, but we haven't thought about that. We're trying to beat the Astros."

Wainwright (12-10) threw his second shutout and third complete game of the season. Two of the complete games have come during a string of six consecutive victories at home with a 1.42 ERA. He pitched a five-hitter Aug. 4, a 6-1 victory over the Brewers.

"He's fun to watch," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "He thrives on those opportunities to lead by example."

Wainwright is 12-1 with a 1.58 ERA against Houston during his career. The Astros got two-out hits in the ninth from Justin Maxwell and Jason Castro in a bid to spoil the shutout before Wainwright fanned Ben Francisco on his 105th pitch.

"Oh my God, he was doing so good today," Astros leadoff man Jose Altuve said after going 1 for 4. "He threw every pitch he wanted in every location he wanted."

The Astros have been outscored 15-1 in two games under interim manager Tony DeFrancesco, who held a team meeting before the game in an effort to lift the stripped-down franchise out of the doldrums. Houston is just 7-41 since June 28.

Tyler Greene, a former Cardinals first-round pick dealt to Houston earlier this year, struck out twice and grounded out in his first game in St. Louis as a visitor.

Harrell (10-9) had allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last seven starts but balked home the first run and got a visit from pitching coach Doug Brocail after facing just five hitters. The right-hander retired just five of the first 15 batters before settling down. He allowed a walk and sacrifice fly over the last 10 hitters.

Harrell is from Springfield, Mo., and made his first career start in Missouri. A large contingent of family and friends were waiting outside the clubhouse after the game. He beat the Cardinals in his first two starts this season.