Cardinals stud starter Michael Wacha pitched like one Thursday in Cleveland. But he didn't pitch like one for long enough.
The Indians used patience at the plate to make Wacha throw 105 pitches in five-plus innings, after which he was removed in a no-decision.
Wacha worked out of jams to keep the Indians down to one run on five hits. He walked two and struck out seven. He allowed a home run to Michael Brantley and double to Brandon Moss to start the sixth, forcing his removal.
He was saved from his first defeat when his team took the lead in the eighth.
Wacha will try to raise his record to 6-0 and lower a fine 2.06 ERA next Tuesday against the host Mets.