Astros Hammer Wainwright, Cardinals

Kyle Tucker homered and drove in five runs, Alex Bregman hit his third grand slam this season and the Houston Astros blew out Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals 14-0 on Thursday night.

It was the Cardinals’ largest shutout loss at home since 2012.

Tucker hit a two-run single in a six-run second, and added a three-run homer in the sixth off Jake Woodford, a 447-foot drive to right.

Alex Bregman capped off Houston’s fun with a ninth inning grand slam.

Wainwright (3-3) gave up six runs, six hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings.

J.P. France (3-3) allowed four hits in seven innings to pick up the win.

LHP Matthew Liberatore (1-2, 5.60 ERA) starts Friday night in the first game of a three-game series against the New York Yankees, 6:20 with the pregame and the first pitch at 7:15 on KIRX.

3B Nolan Arenado (lower back tightness) was limited to the designated hitter role and went 1 for 2 after being removed from Wednesday’s game. He hopes to return to the field this weekend.