Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha allowed five runs on four hits over five innings on Tuesday, but still came away with a win in the 8-5 victory over the White Sox.
Wacha walked two and struck out eight, needing an even 100 pitches to get through the fifth. Wacha (11-3) was given an big 7-0 lead after four innings, but the White Sox started chipping away. Wacha gave up two runs in the fourth, followed by a solo home run to Geovany Soto and a two-run shot to Tyler Saladino in the fifth.
Tuesday's outing lifted Wacha's ERA from 2.93 to 3.20, thanks to a 5.28 ERA over his last five starts.