The Fat Lady Has Sung
Written by Mike on September 12, 2008 – 10:47 pm -
For those that missed it, the Cardinals got pummeled by the Pirates 10-2. Here’s the full recap, along with the complete box score.
Chris Carpenter is done for the season, and Rick Ankiel is going to have surgery. Derrick Goold has the story.
More to come when I get back from playing in traffic…
Looper Gets Shelled in Loss
Written by Mike on August 31, 2008 – 11:50 am -Ugly. Really, really ugly. After getting spotted a three run lead by Rick Ankiel’s homer in the first inning of game two in Houston, starter Braden Looper immediately put the Cardinals in a hole by giving up six runs in the bottom half. Manager Tony La Russa stayed with the pitcher into the fifth, but turned to his bullpen after a two run homer off the bat of Geoff Blum. Looper’s line: 4.1 innings, 8 earned runs on 11 hits, 3 walks, and 1 strikeout. Ugh! Here’s the box score.
It’s tough to watch the Cardinals lose games to lesser teams down the stretch. They’re now back down to only 12 games over .500, with a record of 74-62. What’s worse is they’ve gone 4-6 in their last ten games, and are now tied with the Phillies at 5.5 games behind the NL Wild Card leading Milwaukee Brewers.
Game three against Houston is later this afternoon. Todd Wellemeyer will try to keep the Astros hitters in check to prevent the sweep. He can’t do any worse than Looper.
Offensive Outburst Earns Cards a Split
Written by Mike on August 21, 2008 – 11:17 pm -Just a quick post today, as the team has the day off. I’m working on a rather lengthy post for the weekend when the team hosts the Braves.
Last night the Cardinals were able to trounce the Pirates 11-2. They tallied 13 hits, and scored in five of their eight innings at the plate. Jason LaRue got the scoring started in the second inning with a sacrifice fly, and added a two-run homer in the seventh. Rick Ankiel also went deep with a two run shot in the third, his 24th.
Todd Wellemeyer earned his eleventh win of the season, pitching 5 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits. He also struck out five. Russ Springer, Jaime Garcia, Ryan Franklin, and Chris Perez threw a shutout for the remaining four frames. Here’s the complete box score.
The Cardinals could have used some of those runs on Tuesday, when the offense was silent until the ninth inning. The series split didn’t allow the team to gain any ground on Milwaukee in the Wild Card race.
A three game series against Atlanta starts tomorrow night, with Adam Wainwright scheduled to take the mound for the first time since his finger injury. Charlie Morton will pitch for the Braves. With the regular season winding down in hurry, hopefully the Cards feel a sense of urgency, and can string together a nice winning streak. Who better to start the streak than Wainwright?
Bird Bits
Written by Mike on August 17, 2008 – 10:13 am -First off, I’d be remiss to not point out a debate going on over at Viva El Birdos this morning. houstoncardinal, one of the regular posters at VEB has sparked some heated conversation on the subject of Cardinal prospect Colby Rasmus. He claims that it would benefit the team to call up the youngster and play him in the outfield everyday in place of Skip Schumaker. I think it’s an asinine idea, but rather than hash out why again, I’ll let you read my comments, as well as many others, here. There’s nothing like a baseball debate, and if nothing else, the author did get me in the mood for some baseball today.
Next, check out the odds of who’s going to win the National League Wild Card in an article in the Post Dispatch from Joe Strauss. I still like our chances.
And finally, for those like me that were wondering if we’d see the “B team” out there today for Tony La Russa, here’s the Cardinals’ starting lineup:
- Skip Schumaker CF
- Ryan Ludwick RF
- Albert Pujols 1B
- Rick Ankiel LF
- Troy Glaus 3B
- Adam Kennedy 2B
- Yadier Molina C
- Kyle Lohse P
- Cesar Izuris SS
It’s nice to see the regulars in there while the Cards go for the sweep. With only 36 games left in the season and so many off days coming up, I think it’s time to play the best nine every day.
Young Arms Make it Three in a Row
Written by Mike on August 15, 2008 – 7:53 pm -The Cardinals began a three game series with the Reds tonight in Cincinnati, the third city of their ten game road trip. After taking three of four from the Marlins, the Cards looked to keep things rolling at Great American Ballpark.
Brad Thompson got the start in place of the injured Chris Carpenter. Despite giving up a leadoff home run to his first batter, Thompson pitched fairly well. He lasted five innings to notch the win, allowing 3 runs, on 3 hits, while striking out 4. One of the runs was unearned. Jaime Garcia, Kyle McClellan, Ron Villone, and Chris Perez combined for four scoreless innings, with Perez earning his fourth save.
The Cards scored five runs spread across four innings, including a two run homer off the bat of Rick Ankiel in the first. Albert Pujols and Felipe Lopez were each on base three times, and Jason LaRue got in on the action with a pair of RBI.
St. Louis out hit Cincinnati 10-5, and won the game 5-3. Here’s the full recap and box score. The Cards are 5-3 so far on this road trip, which includes winning the last three straight ball games. They improve to 13 games over .500, at 69-56, with 37 games left in the season. They gained no ground on the Cubs, when Florida’s closer Kevin Gregg blew a two run lead in the ninth, giving Chicago another win. The Cards still trail Milwaukee by three games in the Wild Card race, with a chance to pick up a half-game if the Brewers lose in L.A. tonight.
It looks like Carpenter will miss at least one more start, as he was placed on the 15-day DL today, retroactive to his last appearance. Brian Barton takes his place on the roster. Joe Strauss has the full story.
Maybe a healthy Adam Wainwright can be the shot in the arm this team needs to have an extended run. He’ll make what could be his final rehab start tomorrow night for AA Springfield. With Carpenter out again, and Perez making the most of his late inning chances, I’m hoping to see Adam in the rotation.
Joel Pineiro will get the ball in game two of the series in Cincinnati tomorrow night. The Reds will counter with Aaron Harang. Let’s make it four in a row!
Falling Off the Pace
Written by Mike on August 8, 2008 – 7:50 pm -
Dammit Jimmy! Stupid Cubs! This is no way to start a road trip. Even though it took 11 innings, the Cardinals came up on the short end today at Wrigley, and now sit seven games back in the NL Central standings.
Braden Looper turned in a fine performance, allowing just two runs in seven innings. Ironically, the two runs came off the bat of Looper’s former teammate, Jim Edmonds, via a pair of solo home runs. What a kick in the nuts. The bullpen turned in three scoreless innings before losing it in the eleventh. The culprit: Ryan Franklin. Again.
This is a loss that we can’t really pin on Franklin. I suppose most of the blame could fall on the offense, for their lack of timely hitting and base running blunders. Scoring only two runs against the Cubs is never going to get a win. That said, I still can’t seem to stop hating on the bullpen, especially the back end. I know that somebody had to take the loss today, but why does it seem like it’s always the same one or two guys?
I’ve changed my stance on Adam Wainwright’s return. I’m now in favor of him pitching in relief after his rehab assignment. What we’ve been doing isn’t working. I’m still hopeful that rookie Chris Perez gets more and more crucial innings, and I think having Wainwright right there with him could be a big plus.
Here’s some links:
- Today’s recap and box score.
- More on Wainwright’s status, from Derrick Goold.
- The Rick Ankiel story on FSN.
- Ryan Ludwick for MVP?
Game two of the series is tomorrow afternoon. Carlos Zambrano against Todd Wellemeyer. Let’s go Cards!
Get the Brooms Ready
Written by Mike on July 20, 2008 – 9:48 am -
A dramatic come from behind win yesterday has put the Cardinals in position to sweep the Padres in today’s fourth and final game of the series.
Todd Wellemeyer got off to a rocky start, allowing five runs in the first two frames, but settled in and lasted 6.1 innings, earning him the win. He’s now 8-4, with a 4.22 ERA. Both Randy Flores and Russ Springer failed to record an out, but Ron Villone came in to put out the fire in the sixth. Ryan Franklin earned his fourteenth save, pitching the final two innings.
The Cards were trailing 5-0 into the fifth, where they plated four. They added the tying and go-ahead runs in the sixth. Albert Pujols stole the show with his four RBI. Rick Ankiel and Skip Schumaker each drove in a run as well. 6-5 was the final. Here’s the complete box score.
Rookie left-hander Jaime Garcia will get his first Major League start today, hoping to help the Cardinals earn the sweep. He’s made only one other appearance so far, pitching two innings in relief on July 11 in Pittsburgh, three days after his 22nd birthday. He allowed one hit, one walk, and struck out two. Larry at Viva El Birdos has a nice piece on Garcia and the Cardinals lack of success with left-handers up today. Find it here. I’m rooting for the kid. If he can impress down the stretch, or at least until Adam Wainwright’s return, he may find himself auditioning for a larger role with the club next spring.
We’re about an hour and a half from game time. Here’s the Cards’ lineup, per Derrick Goold:
- Skip Schumaker LF
- Aaron Miles SS
- Ryan Ludwick RF
- Rick Ankiel CF
- Troy Glaus 3B
- Chris Duncan 1B
- Jason LaRue C
- Jaime Garcia P
- Adam Kennedy 2B
So, looks like Pujols, Yadier Molina, and Cesar Izturis all get the day off. No big deal. Should still be a winner!
Cards on a Roll
Written by Mike on July 18, 2008 – 9:19 pm -The St. Louis Cardinals are a fun team to watch. No one could have predicted the club to be in the position they’re in. After winning the first two games of the second half, the Cards are 12 games over .500, at 55-43, trailing the division leading Chicago Cubs by only 3 games. The Small Bears are the only team in the National League with a better record than the Cardinals.
The San Diego series started with another gem from starter Kyle Lohse. He’s now 12-2, with a 3.35 ERA, and as close to automatic as you can get. Rick Ankiel and Joe Mather each hit a home run, while Troy Glaus hit a pair. The Cards won last night 4-3.
Game two was back and forth. Braden Looper was knocked around for six runs in three-plus innings, but the Cards were able to get to Maddux as well. Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick each hit their 22nd home runs and collected three RBI a piece. The Cards practiced what Tony La Russa preaches, played a hard nine, and scored 11 runs on 17 hits, winning it by 4. Here’s the full recap and box score.
Poised to win the series tomorrow afternoon, the Redbirds will send Todd Wellemeyer to the mound to face lefty Randy Wolf. Jaime Garcia is scheduled to make his first Major League start on Sunday.
The Cards made a couple of roster moves prior to tonight’s game. Randy Flores was activated from the disabled list and Joe Mather was sent back to Memphis. Also, Kelvin Jimenez traded places with Chris Perez. Lee Hurwitz has more on the story.
Cards Blank Bucs
Written by Mike on July 11, 2008 – 7:31 pm -
Kyle Lohse is at it again. In game one of the final series before the All-Star break, Lohse shutout the Pirates for seven innings, allowing six hits and striking out three, before handing it over to the bullpen. Lohse now sports an 11-2 record, and lowered his ERA to 3.39, putting him neck and neck with the best pitchers in the National League. If he keeps this up, the Cardinals should look very seriously at a long-term extension for him.
Following Lohse was left-handed rookie Jamie Garcia, making his Major League debut. Garcia just turned 22 three days ago, and the kid made a nice first impression. He allowed just one hit and a walk in the final two innings. He also struck out a pair. The Cards have now had 10 players make their big league debut with them this season. As George Von Benko points out, that’s a staggering number for a team in contention.
Thanks to the stellar pitching, the Cardinals could have won with just a single run. Instead, they plated six, including home runs from Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick. Both Ankiel and Troy Glaus had three hits a piece, while Yadier Molina chipped in with a pair of RBI. The Redbirds had 13 hits in all.
So a well played game on both sides of the ball ends in a Cardinal victory. Here’s the complete box score. The win puts the Cards back at 10 games over .500, but still trailing the Cubs by 4.5 games. If Milwaukee can hang on to win tonight, they’ll remain a half game ahead of St. Louis.
In game two tomorrow night, the Cardinals will face yet another left-handed starter. Phil Dumatrait will start for the Bucs, making it the seventh consecutive game the opposing team started a lefty. The last right-hander the Cards faced was Carlos Zambrano, back on July 4. Todd Wellemeyer will start for the Redbirds tomorrow.
An interesting trade rumor popped up today. According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, both the Cardinals and Diamondbacks are looking at Pittsburgh outfielder Jason Bay. Apparently, top prospect Colby Rasmus is the target for the Pirates. Hat tip to Tim Dierkes from MLB Trade Rumors. I think Rasmus for Bay would be an asinine move, but luckily, I’m sure John Mozeliak does too.
Mets Take Game Two
Written by Mike on July 1, 2008 – 8:44 pm -Clearly, Cardinal starter Todd Wellemeyer was out of whack tonight in the second of four games against the Mets. He couldn’t command any of his pitches, and the New York hitters were sitting on his fastball. Wellemeyer labored through five innings on 98 pitches, allowing 6 runs on 12 hits.
Brad Thompson came in to pitch in the sixth, and promptly gave up a home run to David Wright. Later, Thompson popped up a sacrifice attempt that took the wind out of the rally sails. Just when I thought his suckiness would continue, Brad cruised through the final three innings unscathed, and has earned a temporary pass from my verbal hazing.
The Cardinals managed to score four runs, including a two-run homer from Rick Ankiel in the first. Unfortunately, it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the weak showing from Wellemeyer. The final was 7-4. Here’s the complete box score.
The organization has signed their first round draft pick, Brett Wallace. He spent the day at Busch Stadium today, meeting some of the players and taking batting practice. I’ll have more on Wallace tomorrow, but for now, check out Brain Walton’s article on the young slugger.
Game three of the series tomorrow night, where it’s Joel Pineiro against Pedro Martinez. Should be a good one.
