Michael Wacha's performance 'unacceptable' in Cardinals loss

Thomas Lott

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Michael Wacha's performance 'unacceptable' in Cardinals loss image

St. Louis is trying its best to iron some things out.

After an 8-2 loss to the Royals on Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader, the Cardinals had lost five of their last seven and 13 of 19 in May. And this all comes after St. Louis won its fifth game in a row — and 10th in 11 games — on May 1 over the Nationals.

MORE: Watch 'ChangeUp,' a new MLB live whiparound show on DAZN

Things aren't working right now for the Cardinals and starting pitcher Michael Wacha is no exception.

The 2012 first-round pick took the loss Wednesday as he allowed six earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work. Wacha has a 6.64 ERA in four May starts and was honest with himself after the loss.

"The way I've been pitching, it's unacceptable," Wacha said, via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It's a tough spot. It's tough. You've got to be able to pitch, pitch well to stay in this league. Right now I have not been pitching well. I definitely have to do a better job."

Fortunately for St. Louis, it did win the second game of its doubleheader with Kansas City, 10-3, but that doesn't change the fact that the team is not playing its best right now.

What makes matters worse for the Cardinals and Wacha is the division rival Cubs won again Wednesday 8-4 over the Phillies behind a three-run homer from Anthony Rizzo and a grand slam from Albert Almora.

Chicago is now 28-18 on the season and has gone 14-6 in May and now leads the fourth-place Cardinals by five games in the National League Central.

Studs of the Night

White Sox rookie Eloy Jimenez hit two home runs in a game for the second time in his career in a 9-4 win over the Astros.

Athletics starter Frankie Montas threw six shutout innings with nine strikeouts in a 7-2 win over the Indians.

Gleyber Torres continued his dominance over the Orioles as he hit two more home runs in a 7-5 win over Baltimore. Torres has 12 home runs this season, with 10 of them against the Orioles. He has hit two home runs in a game against them four times.

Duds of the Night

Both starting pitchers at Miller Park struggled in the Brewers' 11-9 win over the Reds. Zach Davies gave up six earned runs in three innings of work while Luis Castillo allowed four earned in 2 2/3.

Highlights

Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier doesn't just have a great glove, he has a wonderful arm too and Cody Bellinger learned that the hard way in an 8-1 loss to Tampa Bay.

Jake Marisnick had an eventful day for the Astros as he both hit into a triple play and turned an awesome double play. Both have to be seen.

What's Next

Phillies (28-21) at Cubs (29-18) 2:20 p.m. ET — It's the class of the National League East vs. the class of the National League Central. And it's a great pitching matchup too as Aaron Nola (4-0, 4.47 ERA) takes on Jon Lester (3-2, 2.09). And it's a day game at Wrigley Field. Baseball doesn't get much better.

Thomas Lott