Cardinals Recap: Balanced scoring attack sinks St. Louis

The Colorado Rockies scored runs in four different innings Saturday, sending the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-2 loss at Busch Stadium.

By the time St. Louis got on the board in the fourth via a Jhonny Peralta solo blast, the Redbirds already found themselves in a 3-0 hole, due largely in-part to the work of Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado.

The Rockies’ franchise cornerstone took right-hander Lance Lynn deep in the top of the fourth, extending the Colorado lead to 3-0. Earlier in the contest, Carlos Gonzalez opened the scoring with a sac fly, scoring Charlie Blackmon in the top of the first.

St. Louis (66-38) was held in-check for the first time during the series Saturday, thanks to the work of Colorado southpaw Jorge De La Rosa.

The left-hander pitched into the seventh, scattering seven hits and striking out four, limiting the potent Cardinals offense to a pair of runs in the process. From there, a trio of Colorado relievers kept the Redbirds off the board, preserving the lead.

Opposite De La Rosa, Lynn was largely ineffective – serving up four runs on seven hits – two of which left the yard. In addition to Arenado, Ben Paulsen added a home run, his eighth on the season.

The Colorado first baseman also doubled late in the contest, as part of a two-hit, two RBI night. He’s been a pleasant surprise for a Rockies team that’s missing first baseman Justin Morneau, who is still battling concussion issues.

While Lynn struggled, the usually-dominant relief corps for the Cardinals was off their game, as well. Randy Choate and Seth Maness also allowed runs on Saturday, although deadline acquisitions Steve Cishek and Jonathan Broxton each turned in a scoreless inning of work.

What’s Next:

St. Louis will conclude the series at Busch Stadium on Sunday against the Rockies at 1:15 p.m. CT.

Left-hander Jaime Garcia (3-4, 2.00) will toe the rubber for the Cardinals. He will be opposed by Colorado southpaw Yohan Flande (1-1, 3.68).

Next: Looking at the Cardinals' acquisition of Broxton