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.
Four Straight Wins
Written by Mike on August 16, 2008 – 7:59 pm -
With a fine performance from Cardinal starter Joel Pineiro, and four home runs from the supporting cast, the Cardinals picked up a decisive win against the Reds in Cincinnati.
Pineiro earned his third win in as many starts with six strong innings. He allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, and struck out 6 without issuing a walk. Jason Isringhausen, Russ Springer, and Ron Villone each pitched a scoreless inning in relief.
Skip Schumaker and Ryan Ludwick each had a home run, while Albert Pujols hit a pair. 9-3 was the final score. Here’s the complete box score.
You can bet I switched over to the Cubs/Marlins game as soon as the Cardinals recorded the final out. Wouldn’t you know, Kevin Gregg was in trouble again in the ninth, clinging to a one run lead. The Fish prevailed this time, so St. Louis picks up a full game in the standings.
I mentioned yesterday that Adam Wainwright was scheduled to pitch tonight for the Springfield Cardinals. As Matthew Leach reports, the outing went well.
The Cards will go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon with Kyle Lohse on the mound. The Reds will hand the ball to All-Star Edinson Volquez. I’m anxious to see if Tony La Russa uses his typical “getaway day lineup”, or sticks with the big guns due to the off day on Monday. I’ll have a pre-game post up early tomorrow after the lineups are announced. Already at 6-3, a Cardinal win would put an exclamation point on a very successful road trip.
Cards Pummel Zambrano, Cubs
Written by Mike on August 9, 2008 – 9:32 pm -
YES! You know him. You hate him. The ace of the Chicago staff, Carlos Zambrano, and all of his cockiness, were at the center of some extremely entertaining television this afternoon when the Cardinals’ offense put on a hitting clinic.
After losing game one of the series with a subpar showing from the offense, the Redbirds showed up at Wrigley today ready for redemption. Facing Zambrano in Chicago is no easy task. Before today’s game, he was unbeaten at home in ‘08. The Cards were able to chase him out of the game after only 4.1 innings, in which he gave up 9 runs on 10 hits. Yep. 9 runs! Let’s count them:
- 1st inning: Ludwick singles in Schumaker from second
- 3rd inning: Schumaker hits a solo home run
- 3rd inning: Pujols hits a solo home run
- 4th inning: Glaus hits a two run homer
- 5th inning: Lopez singles in Pujols
- 5th inning: Glaus hits a three run home run
And Big Z was done. His nine earned runs were the most he’s ever allowed. The Cards continued to pile on, winning the game 12-3.
With all of the thunder from the Cardinal bats, it’s easy to forget just how important the strong outing from Todd Wellemeyer was. Making his first career start at Wrigley against his former team, the Colonel was impressive. With excellent command, Wellemeyer lasted 6.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, while striking out 5. The bullpen was able to get the final seven outs without incident, which is an accomplishment in itself. Here’s the complete box score.
Game three of the series is tomorrow night, with Chris Carpenter facing off against Ryan Dempster. A win would certainly add some momentum heading into the four game set in Miami.
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!
Ankiel’s Two Homers Not Enough
Written by Mike on June 26, 2008 – 7:13 am -
In a battle of the bats at a rain soaked Comerica Park, the Detroit Tigers came out ahead after a lengthy delay to even the series. The Cardinal offense was potent, but their pitching left a lot to be desired.
The Cards took an early lead on a lead off home run by Skip Schumaker, and another solo shot from Rick Ankiel. Ankiel added a second bomb in the fifth. He now has fourteen. Seven runs were not enough, as the Tiger’s attack was even better. They out hit the Cardinals 19-10, and came out on top after a walk-off RBI in the ninth.
Even though Cardinal starter Kyle Lohse got knocked around for 5 runs on 11 hits in 4 innings, it was the bullpen that couldn’t hold leads late in the game. After Chris Perez threw a pair of shutout innings, Jason Isringhausen, Randy Flores, and Kyle McClellan each allowed a run. 8-7 was the final. Here’s the complete box score.
The Cards will try to take the series this afternoon with Todd Wellemeyer on the mound. Nate Robertson gets the start for Detroit.
Albert Pujols should be in the lineup today. Rick Hummel reports that he’ll come off the DL today and be thrown right back into the action. No word yet on who gets moved to make room for Pujols. Here’s the full story.
Cards Lose In Houston
Written by Mike on June 6, 2008 – 9:24 pm -In one of the more forgettable losses of the year, the Cardinals were able to scatter only four hits against the Astros in game one of the series. Worse is the fact that the four hits came from just two Cardinal batters. Both Skip Schumaker and Adam Kennedy had two singles a piece. Although Albert Pujols returned to the lineup, he managed to strike out twice in an 0 for 4 effort.
Braden Looper took the loss. Although he wasn’t at his best, only two of his five runs allowed were earned, and he labored through six innings to give the bullpen a rest. The final two frames were handled by yet another Cardinal rookie, Mitchell Boggs. He took the roster spot of the demoted Mike Parisi.
Houston won it 6-1. Here’s the full recap and box score.
Off the field, there seems to be some trouble brewing. Both Rick Ankiel and Todd Wellemeyer weren’t with the club tonight in Houston. Instead, they were back in St. Louis having their ailing parts scoped by the doctors. Bernie Miklasz posted this update. Rotoworld is already reporting that Wellemeyer has been placed on the disabled list, which if true, is very bad news for the Cardinals. Matt Clement’s rehab has now taken him to Springfield, where he’ll start Sunday’s game for the AA Cardinals.
Tomorrow, it’s Shawn Chacon and Adam Wainwright in game two. Wainwright, along with some better defense, should be able to contain the Astros while the Cardinal bats come back to life.
Bullpen Better; Offense Not
Written by Mike on May 16, 2008 – 9:10 pm -In the first interleague game of the season, Rays’ starter Andy Sonnanstine kept the Cardinal offense in check, keeping St. Louis off the scoreboard through seven. Tampa held their lead, and won it 3-1. Here’s the box score.
It wasn’t a pretty performance from Braden Looper, but he kept his team in the game. He couldn’t keep the ball down and was getting hit hard. He labored through six innings on 117 pitches, but allowed just 3 runs on 10 hits and a pair of walks, earning him another quality start.
Chris Perez made his Major League debut, pitching a scoreless seventh. He brought the heat, and recorded his first strikeout getting Evan Longoria to swing through a high fastball.
Mike Parisi was also impressive, striking out three in the eighth, and pitching around a lead off double in the ninth. His curveball was solid.
The offense was not. They scattered eight hits (two from Looper) but didn’t get on the board until Chris Duncan’s solo homer in the bottom of the eighth. Skip Schumaker, Rick Ankiel, Albert Pujols, and Adam Kennedy went a combined 0 for 16. Pujols’ streak of reaching base in every game of the season is finally over. Sonnanstine wasn’t afraid to pitch to him, and kept most of the Cardinal hitters off balance.
Don’t look now, but a couple of Redbirds have quietly increased their batting averages. Troy Glaus is now hitting .271, and Molina is up to .300.
After the loss, the Cards are now just four games over .500, and have won only two of their last ten. They’re now three games behind the first place Cubs, and a half game behind the Astros. Adam Wainwright will try to be the stopper tomorrow. Matt Garza will get take the mound for Tampa Bay.
Happy Mother’s Day
Written by Mike on May 11, 2008 – 9:07 am -
To all the moms in Cardinal Nation, Happy Mother’s Day! My mom loves the Cards just as much as I do. I gave her one of my extra tickets to Opening Day this year, and as usual, she was the first one downtown, dressed in Cardinal red with a beer in her hand. Cheers to you, Mom!
The pink bats will be out today. Chris Duncan, Rick Ankiel, Cesar Izturis, Adam Kennedy, Jason Larue, Aaron Miles, and Skip Schumaker are all expected to use them in this afternoon’s game against Milwaukee. Braden Looper and Jeff Suppan are scheduled to pitch.
After the win yesterday, the Cardinals are 23-15, with a one game lead on second place Chicago. A win today would keep the them above .500 in road games. Looking ahead, after two more in Milwaukee, the Cards head back home to play three against Pittsburgh before hosting Tampa Bay in their first interleague series. While the Pirates are five games behind the Cardinals, the Rays are a surprising four games over .500, and in second place in the AL East.
UCB Game Blog - Third Inning
Written by Mike on May 3, 2008 – 4:08 pm -Today’s game against the Chicago Cubs is being collectively covered by ten different Cardinal blogs in a unique project from the UCB group. Find the pre-game notes over at C70 at the Bat. Stan Musial’s Stance has the first inning, and The Cardinal Virtue has the second.
After a couple of quick innings, the Cubs came to bat in the top of the third with the only hit on the scoreboard in a scoreless game. Cardinal starter Kyle Lohse was very efficient in the first two, and the third was no exception. Facing the bottom of the order, Lohse got Mike Fontenot to ground out to first, Reed Johnson to line out to center, and Ted Lilly to ground out to third, retiring the side on just 11 pitches. His pitch count through three was just 34, while facing the minimum with the help of the double play in the second.
In the bottom half, after Yadier Molina and Lohse both grounded out to the left side, shortstop Cesar Izturis picked up the first Cardinal hit with a single to center. Last night’s hero, Skip Schumaker, grounded out to Derrick Lee for the second time, stranding the Cards’ first baserunner.
Interestingly, while the Redbirds lead the league in walks, averaging nearly five per game, only three of their first ten batters in today’s contest saw a two ball count.
So, not a lot of action to this point, but with the Cubs in town, there’s bound to be some fireworks. Coverage continues at Cardinals GM.
Go Cards!
Cards Win on a Skip-Off Homer
Written by Mike on May 2, 2008 – 9:56 pm -In the bottom of the eleventh inning, with the score tied at three, Cardinal outfielder Skip Schumaker went deep with a runner on third to win it. Although it was the first meeting of the season between the Cubs and Cards, the game had a late season pennant race feel to it throughout.
Adam Wainwright got the start for the Redbirds, and pitched brilliantly. Because of his extended pitch count in his last appearance, Wainwright got the early hook after giving up a hit after 85 pitches in 6 1/3, but still leading by a pair.
With only three outs to go, closer Jason Isringhausen gave up a game tying home run to Alfonso Soriano, who made up for his earlier misplays in left field.
Other notables:
- Kyle McClellan continues to dominate in high pressure situations.
- Troy Glaus went a dreadful 0 for 5 with 2 Ks and 4 LOB.
- Ron Villone earned the win with 2.1 scoreless innings.
- Isringhausen now has more blown saves (3) than he did in all of ‘07.
- Cubs suck.
So the Cardinals start off the second month just as hot as they did in the first. 19-11 is good for the second best record in baseball. 5-3 was tonight’s final. Here’s the full recap and box score.
Bears and Birds game two tomorrow afternoon. It’ll be Kyle Lohse against Ted Lilly. Don’t forget to check in on the latest UCB project.
