Five run fifth undoes Friedrich, Rockies in loss

Christian Friedrich ran out of gas in the fifth inning of Thursday's night's game, while Tyler Chatwood seemed content to provide more fuel by pouring it onto the fire Friedrich started. Between the two pitchers, five Cardinals runs were allowed to score in a fifth inning that would prove the Rockies undoing in a 6-2 loss. Friedrich would finish the game with all six Cardinals runs credited to him, albeit the biggest single blow came a batter after he left when Chatwood gave up a two run double to Carlos Beltran. Friedrich did lose command in the fifth, walking two batters earlier in the inning after only giving up one walk in the prior four innings to go along with four strikeouts.

Tyler Colvin hit a two run home run for the Rockies in the eighth, but otherwise Colorado squandered several scoring chances throughout the game, notably a second and third with one out situation in the second after a Wilin Rosario double. Cardinals starter Lance Lynn should be given a good bit of credit for his effort however, in a tight well pitched six innings he gave up just four hits and struck out seven.