A six-run second inning put the Astros up early against the St. Louis Cardinals and Alex Bregman hit his third grand slam of the season to put the finishing touches on a 14-0 road series finale.
Bregman was one of three Astros on Thursday to get three hits, including a grand slam for good measure in the ninth inning, against the Cardinals' pitching. They chased 41-year-old starter Adam Wainwright with the six-run second, when the top of the Astros' lineup and then heart of the order had its way with him.
José Altuve's RBI-single started the scoring, later followed by another RBI-single by Kyle Tucker and a two-RBI double by José Abreu. Altuve and Abreu had just hit homers the previous night to propel the Astros over the Cardinals in the eighth inning.
In addition to Bregman, catcher Yainer Diaz and left fielder Corey Julks also had three-hit games. Tucker hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and had five RBI on the night.
Rookie starter J.P. France pitched seven scoreless innings. France gave up four hits, struck out two and walked two. He threw 97 pitches; 63 for strikes.
Struggling reliever Rafael Montero (7.29 ERA) pitched the final two innings. He threw 16 pitches; 11 for strikes in a low pressure situation with such a substantial lead.
The Astros travel to face the AL West leading Texas Rangers for a four-game weekend series. Rionel Blanco and Hunter Brown will start the first two games.
