That compelling, last-at-bat victory Monday that the Cardinals hoped would catalyze the desired blitz of wins faltered quickly Tuesday, tripped up by a trend too familiar, too alarming to ignore.
Michael Wacha’s grope for the command that made him so formidable so, so early in his career continued as the Chicago Cubs exploited his uncertainty for six runs in the first inning, then coasted for a 12-3 victory at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals’ righthander called his abbreviated start “discouraging.” It is also recurring. Manager Mike Matheny insisted that he saw enough in the waning innings of Wacha’s appearance to keep the rotation turning as scripted, and Wacha insisted health has not been a reason behind his prolonged malaise.