St. Louis Cardinals, Michael Wacha struggle in finale

Phils’ rookie Morgan dominant in debut

Michael Wacha turned in one of his worst starts of the year and Philadelphia Phillies lefty Adam Morgan was dominant as the St. Louis Cardinals fell on the road Sunday by a 9-2 final.

Wacha (9-3, 2.85) allowed three runs in the second and two more in the fifth, striking out seven and walking one in just five innings of work.

The outing was the right-hander’s shortest of the season – and the five earned runs allowed was his worst performance since Sept. 9, 2014 against Cincinnati, when Wacha allowed five earned run four innings of work.

Philadelphia (24-27) inched closer to the .500 mark with the win – which was largely thanks to the work turned in by their rookie southpaw.

Morgan (1-0, 1.59) allowed just one run over 5 2/3 innings of work after being staked to an early 3-0 advantage, scattering half-a-dozen base hits and walking two in his Major League debut.

Already leading 6-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Andres Blanco launched a three-run home run off Matt Belisle to make it 9-1 Philadelphia.

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The Phillies opened the scoring in the second when Cody Asche doubled to drive in the game’s first run. Cesar Hernandez added two more runs on an RBI single before St. Louis (45-24) responded.

Jhonny Peralta, who we featured in a piece last week,took Morgan deep for his 11th long-ball of the season, cutting into the Philadelphia lead in the top of the fourth.

The only other St. Louis tally came in the ninth when outfielder Jason Heyward launched a solo shot off closer Jonathan Papelbon, who has been one of the hottest commodities on the trade market of late.

Heyward accounted for three of the team’s seven base hits, going 3-for-4 on the afternoon. No other Cardinals hitter managed more than one hit in the loss.

What’s Next:

Mike Matheny‘s club will have a scheduled off-day on Monday before returning to action on Tuesday on the road against the Miami Marlins.

Right-hander Carlos Martinez (7-3, 2.80) will toe the rubber for the Cardinals and will be opposed by Miami righty Jose Urena (1-3, 4.18).

First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. CT.

Next: Are the Cardinals' bats ready to break out?