2014 Grapefruit League Recap, Game 23

St. Louis Cardinals 6, Houston Astros 3

2014 Grapefruit League record: 8-15

W- Joe Kelly (2-1)

L- Jerome Williams (0-1)

S- Trevor Rosenthal (2)

Astros home runs: None.

Again, the Cardinals stormed out of the gate and mauled an Astros starter in the process. 

Starting Pitcherr: Jerome Williams

Let's just say that Williams had some difficulty in keeping the ball in the park and leave it at that.

Final line: L (0-1), 4 IP, 9 H (3 home runs), 6 ER, 2 K

Bullpen

Astros relievers were solid once again as they combined for 4 scoreless innings to finish off the game. Anthony Bass allowed a hit and struck out 1 in 1.2 innings, Raúl Valdés allowed a hit and struck out 1 in 0.2 innings (final out of the 6th and first out of the 7th), and Jorge De Leon retired all 5 Cardinals that he faced, striking out 2 in 1.2 innings. 

Offense

The Astros only managed 3 hits, but still put up 3 runs. Alas, the early hole proved to be too deep to dig out.

They didn't have a hit until the 6th, when Jonathan Villar led off with a triple. They didn't have to wait very long for their 2nd hit (and first run, for that matter), when Robbie Grossman legged out an infield single to bring Villar home. Grossman would later score on a wild pitch from Jorge Rondon/Matt Dominguez walk. 

Adron Chambers walked to lead off the 7th and would score on a double from Jesús Guzmán. 

Three Stars

3.

Jesús Guzmán, 1B/OF
1-2, RBI 2B in 7th

2.

Jonathan Villar, SS
1-3, 3B, R, and a really good defensive play

1.

Bullpen: Anthony Bass (1.2 IP, H, K), Raúl Valdés (0.2 IP, H, K), Jorge De Leon (1.2 IP, 2 K)
Combined: 4 IP, 2 H, 4 K

Next Up

The Astros head to the Wide World of Sports complex at Disney World to take on the Braves at 6:05 Eastern. Dallas Keuchel will match up against David Hale.