News from around the Central:
- A night after Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro committed three errors in one inning and four in the game, Cryin' Mike Quade found a new bogeyman in the crummy weather in Chicago, saying: "I'm not an excuse maker, but it wasn't a great night to play."
- Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto says he's happy with his three-year deal with the Reds, despite the fact that fellow budding superstars Troy Tulowitzki and Ryan Braun have signed lifetime deals with their respective clubs.
- Houston placed outfielder Jason Michaels on the disabled list with a separated left shoulder, an injury that Michaels suffered while diving for a Prince Fielder triple on Sunday afternoon. To replace Michaels, the Astros summoned outfielder Brian Bogusevic from AAA Oklahoma City.
- Speaking on injuries: professional pest Ryan Theriot was scratched from St. Louis' game against Houstonon Tuesday night with rib-cage soreness. In other injured Cardinals news: first baseman Albert Pujols didn't start in Tuesday's contest but was able to pinch-hit in the eighth inning.
- The Pirates claimed outfielder Xavier Paul off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. In seven games with the Dodgers, Paul was 3-for-11.
Last night's action:
- Everything was coming up Berkman in the erstwhile Astro's return to Houston, as the new St. Louis outfielder drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth to give the Cardinals a 5-4 lead over the Astros. But new Astro Bill Hall spoiled Berkman's homecoming with a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth as Houston rallied to score two to steal a 6-5 victory.
- On the strength of three solo homers and an incredible performance from No. 6 starter Marco Estrada, Milwaukee solved Cincinnati -- for one night, anyway -- and claimed a 3-2 win.
- Colorado got to Chicago lefty James Russell early and often, plating four runs in the first five innings and chasing Russell from the game after just 4.0 innings of work. The ancient Todd Helton did the heavy lifting for the Rockies, socking two solo homers off Russell, and former Brewer George of the Rose pitched seven strong innings as the Rockies took a 4-3 win.
- Pittsburgh went all Keystone Kops against San Francisco with the game tied at 2 in the top of the tenth inning: right fielder Matt Diaz muffed a leadoff single by Nate Schierholtz which permitted Schierholtz to reach second base. Schierholtz was cut down trying to advance to third on a bunt attempt, but the Pirates outdid that mistake immediately: Joel Hanrahan airmailed a pickoff throw, allowing Darren Ford to reach third. Ford then scored the winning run on a grounder to second baseman Neil Walker, who threw to first without looking Ford back at third base.
Your updated standings for April 27:
| W | L | GB | Last 10 | Streak | |
| Brewers | 12 | 11 | -- | 5-5 | W1 |
| Cardinals | 12 | 11 | -- | 6-4 | L1 |
| Reds | 12 | 12 | 0.5 | 3-7 | L1 |
| Cubs | 10 | 13 | 2.0 | 4-6 | L3 |
| Pirates | 10 | 13 | 2.0 | 4-6 | L1 |
| Astros | 9 | 14 | 3.0 | 5-5 | W1 |
On tap for tonight:
- The Uptight Citizens of St. Louis continue their series in Houston, with the first pitch in game two scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT. Kyle Lohse (3-1, 2.01) gets the start for the Redbirds, and J.A. Happ (1-3, 6.94) starts for the Astros.
- The Brewers and Reds conclude their three-game series with a matinee tilt at 12:10 p.m. CDT. Sam LeCure (0-1, 4.15) is on the bump for Cincinnati, and the Crew has their fingers crossed that Yovani Gallardo (2-1, 4.88) shakes his recent malaise.
- The Cubs finish their series with the Rockies with a 1:20 p.m. CDT afternoon affair, with Cubs right-hander Casey Coleman (1-1, 7.43) scheduled to match up with Colorado's Jhoulys (pronounced just like it's spelled, FYI) Chacin (3-1, 2.67).
- The Pirates and Giants play the second game of their three-game series in Pittsburgh at 6:05 p.m. CDT. James McDonald (0-2, 10.13) takes the ball for Pittsburgh and the struggling Madison Bumgarner (0-3, 7.79) goes for San Francisco.