Wacha describes arm as ‘dragging’ after loss

ST. LOUIS — Memories of Michael Wacha’s solid start to the season have faded, replaced by questions about whether an already struggling rotation can afford to keep sending the searching right-hander to the mound every five days.

Wacha remains winless since April 23, and his latest loss, a 12-3 shelling by the Cubs on Tuesday, was the most numbing yet. Wacha was battered for a career-worst eight runs, six of which scored before he retired his third out. By then the Cardinals’ bullpen was already stirring with activity, as Tyler Lyons hastily warmed up.

Lyons would eventually enter in the fifth and give the Cardinals their third relief appearance of at least three innings since Thursday. Two of those have come behind Wacha, who claimed the unenviable distinction of being the first Cardinals pitcher since Mike Maroth (2007) to allow at least six earned runs in three consecutive starts.

“I feel … like I’m on time for an inning, two innings. Then something gets out of whack,” Wacha said. “I don’t know if I’m trying too hard, but I have to stay within myself and continue working down in the zone.”

The rotation has been …

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