ST. LOUIS, April 13 (UPI) -- Eli Marrero's two-out, bases-loaded single off the left field wall Saturday lifted the Cardinals to a 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros.
Former Astro Darryl Kile and two relievers combined on a two-hitter as the Cardinals extended their winning streak to five games and handed Houston its fourth straight loss.
Jason Isringhausen (2-0) struck out the side with nine pitches in the ninth and earned the win when the Cardinals pulled the game out in the bottom of the inning against reliever Ricky Stone (1-1).
J.D. Drew led off with a single and stole second. After Albert Pujols grounded out, Jim Edmonds was intentionally walked. But Stone also walked Tino Martinez to load the bases before striking out pinch-hitter Edgar Renteria. Marrero then came through with his game-winning hit off the left field wall.
Kile, who is 2-4 lifetime against his former team, yielded just one hit -- an infield single by Brad Ausmus -- in six innings. He retired 15 of 16 batters after allowing a run in the first on Ausmus' single, walks to Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman and a sacrifice fly by Richard Hidalgo.
Houston starter Roy Oswalt was also impressive, striking out 10 in six innings. He allowed one run and eight hits.
The Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the first, but squandered a chance for more. Fernando Vina and Placido Polanco led off the inning with singles. After Oswalt struck out Drew, Pujols hit an RBI double to right field. But Oswalt escaped further damage, striking out Edmonds and retiring Martinez on a fielder's choice grounder.
The only other Houston hit was a single by Daryle Ward in the seventh.
