Michael Wacha, who from early June to early August won seven games in eight decisions, is trending. But not in a good way.
The Cardinals righthander posted his ninth win on Aug. 8, pitching six innings, giving up three runs. In his next three starts, however, he lasted five innings, then four, and on Friday night, 3 1/3 innings. The Cardinals have more than Mike Leake to worry about in their rotation.
The Tampa Bay Rays cuffed Wacha for nine hits and five runs in his short tenure at Busch Stadium and, fouling off balls with a fury, they forced him to throw 94 pitches to record 10 outs.