Even in a deep funk, Cardinals pitchers insist on accountability

11:45 AM ET

ST. LOUIS – Adam Wainwright’s struggles in April and early May were an entirely new experience for a pitcher who has been at this for more than 10 years, the last handful of which had him deep in the mix for Cy Young Award consideration.

“Worst ever,” he said of his start this season.

Michael Wacha is in the midst of the worst slump of his young life, having allowed 30 hits and 20 earned runs in his past four starts, which have lasted a total of just 18 innings. Each of the other St. Louis Cardinals starting pitchers — Mike Leake, Carlos Martinez and Jaime Garcia — have also underperformed to varying degrees in comparison to their career norms.

The team, which typically is at or near the top of the ERA leaders, is below the league average this season because its rotation has been a major disappointment. But after each start, Cardinals pitchers have been at their locker stalls to dissect that day’s start. It’s not by accident that none has skipped out before speaking with reporters.

“Our guys never do that. You can tell me if I’m wrong,” Wainwright said.

Staying put to talk to the media is something manager Mike Matheny and Wainwright both talk about. They want all their pitchers to be accountable. New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey took a lot of flak in the media for skipping out after another disappointing start Tuesday night.

“I think it’s part of our job. When you’re great, you stand up and you love answering the questions and you want to talk more and you want to watch …

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