Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, having heard of Houston infielder Geoff Blum's remarks on Wednesday that the Cardinals "didn't look like they wanted to beat us at all," said Blum had a right to say what he wanted to and understood why Blum would speak in that manner.

But La Russa disagreed this afternoon with the sentiment expressed by Blum after the Astros had beaten the Cardinals for the third day in a row.

"He's a pro that I respect," said La Russa. "We made a lot of outs where we went to the plate and made a left turn and came back onto the (third-base) dugout. What's Blum to think?

"We got beat 3-0, twice. And when that's happened, you're not going to look like a club that's taking extra bases because you're not on base.

"He's entitled to his own opinion. I think it's fair to characterize our club on that road trip, and even the last home stand, as a club that's struggling to make things happen.

"But I don't agree. If you're characterizing it as underachieving, that's a tough hit to take. Our pitching staff has been first, second or third all year. There's guys in this clubhouse who I don't think you can say are underachieving.

"But there's no doubt that on the last home stand and this road trip, we did not achieve wins."

It has been confirmed that the Cardinals will play a makeup of an Aug. 8 rainout at Florida on Sept. 20 in Miami. Beginning tonight, the Cardinals will play 31 straight days through the remainder of the season.

La Russa said he made mention of that fact in a brief meeting with his team after Wednesday's game."It can be half empty or half full," said La Russa. "You've got to look at the last 31 days as half full."

Asked to expand on that, La Russa said, "I don't get into what I say to the players."