By MATT PIKE
The St. Louis Cardinals avoided a third loss in a row, defeating the Athletics at Busch Stadium on Tuesday afternoon 2-1, thanks to Iván Herrera homering for a second game in a row.
After Cardinals starter Miles MIkolas retired five of the first six batters he faced, the A's got on the scoreboard in the third inning. JJ Bleday, who homered twice in Monday's game, started the third off with a double, and later scored with one out on a double by rookie Nick Kurtz.
From there, Mikolas settled in, allowing just two more hits through his remaining three innings, and St. Louis scored their two runs in the bottom of the sixth on Herrera's two run home run, bringing home Victor Scott II who walked to start the inning, for the only runs the Cardinals needed for the win.
Matt Svanson pitched two no hit innings out of the bullpen relieving Mikolas in the seventh before JoJo Romero came on in the ninth inning, recording one strikeout and also giving up no hits on way to his sixth save of the season.
Mikolas improved to 7-10 on the season earning the win pitching six innings and giving up five hits with one walk and giving up the one run. At the plate, Nathan Church led the way going 2-for-2 with a double. Herrera was 1-for-3 with the home run and two RBI's as the Cardinals were also held to just five hits.
St. Louis and the Athletics wrap up their series tomorrow. Matthew Liberatore (6-11, 4.32 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Cardinals against Jeffrey Springs (10-9, 4.17 ERA) for the Athletics. First pitch is at 6:45pm with coverage beginning at 6:35 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).
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