Starting-pitching woes proving costly to Cards

ST. LOUIS — In the minutes following Wednesday’s 9-8 defeat to the Cubs at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals’ clubhouse was brewing with a mélange of frustration and satisfaction. It was a group irked that it had fallen just short, yet still proud of the spirited comeback that positioned it one ninth-inning hit away from stealing a win.

But while the offense’s feisty performance may have provided a silver lining, the reality is that another short and ineffective starting-pitching performance left the club in a spot where it had to chip away.

For the second straight game, the Cardinals endured a six-run inning at the hands of the Cubs. This time, Chicago sent 11 batters to the plate in the second against Carlos Martinez, who gave up five two-out hits in the frame. By the time it was over, Jake Arrieta — who hasn’t lost a game in 10 months — enjoyed a five-run cushion.

“It’s no secret here. We just can’t keep putting up six-run innings and expect to stay in the game,” manager Mike Matheny said. “The bullpen did a nice job, but overall, that’s just a lot of ground to …

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