Jim Edmonds, out of the lineup again today, will visit a specialist after the game:

Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds, his lower abdomen sore enough to keep him out of the starting lineup for four consecutive games, will see a specialist in sports hernias after Wednesday’s game, Cardinals officials said Tuesday night.

Edmonds had an MRI scan taken Tuesday, but the Cardinals would prefer that a specialist view the results and consult with Edmonds before a diagnosis is finalized.

The Cardinals are batting Encarnacion fifth today, and it cost them in the first inning. Pujols reached when his potential double play ball hit an umpire after a Rodriguez single, then Rolen was hit to load the bases. Encarnacion hit a shallow fly ball for the second out. He's now 10 for 52 with runners in scoring position, a .192 batting average. Rolen's not doing that much better, but he hitting .240 in that situation.

The Astros lead 1-0 in the second.