(Sports Network) - Jeff Suppan will make his second start for the Cardinals since being signed by St. Louis back on June 14th. The right-hander, who previously was with Milwaukee, will try to lead his new squad to a victory over the Oakland A's in the finale of the three-game set at Busch Stadium.
Suppan was released by the Brewers after posting a 7.84 earned run average in 15 appearances. The veteran only threw four innings in his first start for the Cardinals, but the short outing was not due to his performance, as he held the Mariners to just one run, while striking out four batters.
The Oklahoma native has made 11 career starts against the Athletics, and although he is just 2-5 in those matchups, he has posted a mediocre 3.44 earned run average.
The Athletics will hand the ball to Trevor Cahill, who is currently red hot having won five of his last six starts, including two in a row. The last time the southpaw took the mound he was not at his best, but still managed to defeat Chicago.
In the win over the Cubs, Cahill surrendered four runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, but also struck out five batters. It was the third road win on the year for the young hurler, who has accumulated a lackluster 4.29 earned run average as a visitor this season.
This will be Cahill's first-ever meeting with the Cardinals.
Yesterday, Matt Holliday hit a two-run home run and drove in three, while Adam Wainwright tossed eight strong innings to help the Cardinals take a 4-3 win over the Athletics.
Wainwright (10-4) gave up just one unearned run on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts for the Cardinals, who have won four of their last five. Skip Schumaker went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the win.
"He's got a lot of weapons and his concentration is terrific," said St. Louis manager Tony La Russa about Wainwright. "From the first to the last pitch he makes he is really grinding out there."
Ryan Sweeney and Gabe Gross each drove in a run, while Ben Sheets (2-7) was tagged with the loss as he gave up four runs on six hits with four walks and two strikeouts over seven innings for the Athletics, who have dropped seven of their last eight.
"A team like that will make you pay when you make the wrong pitch," said Sheets. "Some of those pitches I didn't get them exactly where I wanted and they took advantage of it."
With the Cardinals holding a three-run lead, Ryan Franklin took the mound for the ninth, but quickly got into trouble. Conor Jackson led off with a walk and Kurt Suzuki followed with a single. Sweeney's RBI single then made it a two- run game.
Jason Motte was called out of the bullpen and struck out Kevin Kouzmanoff for the first out. Mark Ellis flied out to center, but Gross made it a one-run game with a pinch-hit single to left. Adam Rosales, though, struck out to end the game and give Motte his second save of the season.
The A's are 132-109 in interleague play, but just 4-7 this season. St. Louis improved to 106-92 in interleague play and 6-2 on the campaign.