Houston Shuts Down Disappointing Cardinals Club

Houston is attempting to get back in the NL West race after a slow season start and is aided by a sweep of the dispirited St. Louis ballclub in the 'Dome. Houston is starting to climb back toward .500 at 13-18 while St. Louis drops to a horrid 7-21.

Game One: HOU 3, STL 0
W: Forsch (3-3)
L: Vuckovich (2-2)

Ken Forsch pitches a tidy three-hit complete game to even his record at three apiece. Pete Vuckovich isn't too shabby himself, only allowing six hits in eight innings, but allows RBI singles from Terry Puhl and Art Howe to give Houston the slight edge.

Game Two: HOU 1, STL 0

W: J. Niekro (2-3)
L: Denny (0-7)
S: Sambito (4)

A great pitching duel, as the Cards' John Denny finally finds his groove after a horrible beginning to the season that has put his ERA at over 5. However, Houston's Joe Niekro has the knuckleball fluttering today, only allowing six hits and no runs in 8.2 innings. A Bob Watson smash to left scores Cesar Cedeno in the sixth with the game's only run. After Niekro puts a runner on in the ninth, Joe Sambito comes in to get Jerry Mumphrey on a groundout to end the game.

Game Three: HOU 3, STL 1
W: Richard (3-1)
L: Sykes (0-4)

St. Louis scores its only run of the three game set, but one run is all they can muster off Houston ace J.R. Richard. The great fireballer strikes out eight en route to a complete game, four-hit win. Little used youngster Jeffery Leonard drives in two runs with singles off Cards' young starter Bob Sykes, who looks good but can't get around the lack of a Cardinals' offense.