St. Louis Cardinals crush Houston Astros in 13-5 route

The St. Louis Cardinals scored 7 runs in the 4th inning on Tuesday night in route to a 13-5 victory over the Houston Astros.
Jun 25, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran (3) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Image Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals returned to Minute Maid Park for the first time since Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig sent the Astros into exile from the National League. In the first 3 innings of play, the Cardinals were held to 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4 times.

By the time the 4th inning rolled around, the Cardinals were ready to play. They came to the plate 11 times in the inning and scored 7 runs.

Carlos Beltran got the 4th inning started with a double to center. Allen Craig stepped in and drove Beltran home on a single to center.

Astros starter Lucas Harrell gave up back to back walks to Matt Holliday and Matt Adams to load the bases. After David Freese struck out, Harrell lost control and walked Jon Jay, which scored Craig from third. Pete Kozma singled to keep the bases loaded and drove in Holliday. Matt Carpenter added in 3 more runs on a bases-clearing triple.

After a brief injury delay in the inning, Yadier Molina stepped into the plate and drove in Carpenter on a single. It was 7-0 at this point.

In the top of the 6th inning, right fielder Carlos Beltran crushed a ball to left field for a 2-run home run that also scored Molina.

The bottom frame was not pretty as Jake Westbrook, who was pitching a no-hitter after 5 innings, gave up 4 runs in the inning.

A Freese Warning was issued in the 7th inning when David Freese had a 2-run homer that scored Adams.

Home runs started to become familiar as Allen Craig hit a bomb in the 8th inning that also scored Tony Cruz, who had replaced Molina as catcher.

Westbrook picked up his 4th win of the season. He allowed 4 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and struck out 3. Westbrook was relieved by Seth Maness, Keith Butler, Edward Mujica, and Michael Blazek.