Sometimes Tony LaRussa can be a little too aggressive when it comes to moving runners, but last night, his decision to send Albert Pujols on a 3-0 count against Broxton and the Dodgers ended up to be pure brilliance. Russell Martin threw his attempt to catch Pujols stealing in the dirt, which allowed Pujols to move to third, and all it took was a Matt Holliday sac fly to bring in Pujols. In two batters, the Cardinals didn't even get a hit (Pujols walked), but still went up on the Dodgers in the ninth 3-2.
Ryan Franklin came in and saved the game for the Cardinals, his 31st and although Wainwright pitched 7 great innings, Kyle McClellan gets the win to improve his record to 4-2.
The Cardinals keep their 6 game lead over the Cubs who defeated San Diego, and the Cardinals improve their record to 69-53.
Showing posts with label San Diego Padres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Diego Padres. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Getting Hot at Just the Right Time
Let's take an honest look at the Cardinals season so far.
The Cardinals started off hot as they usually do. The Cardinals were 17-7 to start the season and were 4 games up on the second place Cincinnati Reds after the games on May 1st.
From May 2nd until July 26th, the Cardinals were a mediocre 36-41, and finished the day 53-48, a half game back of the NL Central leading Chicago Cubs.
But from July 27th until today, August 16th, the Cardinals have been on a tear, winning all six of their series and going 14-4 during that span, including sweeps of the Pirates and Padres and winning 3 out of 4 at home against the Dodgers.
The Cardinals are now 67-52, 5 full games over the Chicago Cubs (whose game against the Pirates was rained out today). The only upside for the Cubs is that they hold a record of 60-55 and are only 3 games out in the loss collumn, which just so happens to be the same number of games that they have left against the Cardinals. The Cubs are definitely not out of this race, and the Cardinals need to continue this pace to assure itself of a NL Central crown.
Since the Cardinals have been on this tear, the other teams in the race, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Houston Astros, are now distant memories. After July 26th, only 3 games separated the top four teams in the NL Central race. After today, the Cubs are 5 games behind the Cardinals, the Brewers are 8 games back and the Astros 9.5 games back.
Not only have the Cardinals put distance between themselves and their NL Central foes, the Cardinals are on the brink of catching the National league's best teams. The Cardinals are now only 3.5 games behind the league leading LA Dodgers (70-48) and depending on what the Phillies do tonight, the Cardinals could be tied in games behind with the Phillies, but the Phillies would still have a better winning percentage.
The Cardinals have an opportunity to catch up with the Dodgers even more this week as they travel to Los Angeles for a three game series at Dodger Stadium. The Cardinals then travel to San Diego for a four game series against the Padres.
The Cardinals have put themselves in a good position to make the playoffs, and if they keep up their winning ways, maybe even home field advantage. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Go Cardinals!
The Cardinals started off hot as they usually do. The Cardinals were 17-7 to start the season and were 4 games up on the second place Cincinnati Reds after the games on May 1st.
From May 2nd until July 26th, the Cardinals were a mediocre 36-41, and finished the day 53-48, a half game back of the NL Central leading Chicago Cubs.
But from July 27th until today, August 16th, the Cardinals have been on a tear, winning all six of their series and going 14-4 during that span, including sweeps of the Pirates and Padres and winning 3 out of 4 at home against the Dodgers.
The Cardinals are now 67-52, 5 full games over the Chicago Cubs (whose game against the Pirates was rained out today). The only upside for the Cubs is that they hold a record of 60-55 and are only 3 games out in the loss collumn, which just so happens to be the same number of games that they have left against the Cardinals. The Cubs are definitely not out of this race, and the Cardinals need to continue this pace to assure itself of a NL Central crown.
Since the Cardinals have been on this tear, the other teams in the race, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Houston Astros, are now distant memories. After July 26th, only 3 games separated the top four teams in the NL Central race. After today, the Cubs are 5 games behind the Cardinals, the Brewers are 8 games back and the Astros 9.5 games back.
Not only have the Cardinals put distance between themselves and their NL Central foes, the Cardinals are on the brink of catching the National league's best teams. The Cardinals are now only 3.5 games behind the league leading LA Dodgers (70-48) and depending on what the Phillies do tonight, the Cardinals could be tied in games behind with the Phillies, but the Phillies would still have a better winning percentage.
The Cardinals have an opportunity to catch up with the Dodgers even more this week as they travel to Los Angeles for a three game series at Dodger Stadium. The Cardinals then travel to San Diego for a four game series against the Padres.
The Cardinals have put themselves in a good position to make the playoffs, and if they keep up their winning ways, maybe even home field advantage. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Go Cardinals!
Rasmus' Walk Off Homer Delivers Cardinals Sweep of Padres
Being from Columbus, Georgia, a lot of folks down here wondered how Colby would do in this, his rookie season with the Cardinals (he's from neighboring Phenix City, Alabama - yes, no "o" in Phenix by the way). Colby hasn't done half bad, has he?
More than having a .259 batting average with 12 home runs and 40 RBI's so far this season, Rasmus has delivered in big games and in big moments, and tonight was no different. The rookie outfielder came in with the game tied and one out in the ninth innning after Yadier Molina singled home Ryan Ludwick to tie the game at 5-5. Colby Rasmus then took Padres closer Heath Bell deep on a 0-1 curveball. Game over. Cards win. Cards sweep the Padres.
Rasmus is showing why the Skip Schumaker move to 2nd base was such a good idea. Even before the acquisition of Matt Holliday, the Cardinals had a good amount of outfield talent with Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker and former Cardinal Chris Duncan. The team needed room for Rasmus, so Schumaker went to 2nd base. Rasmus hasn't played every day, but he has shown why the move was a good one with home runs like he had tonight.
Cardinals fans should look forward to more of the same. Go Colby.
More than having a .259 batting average with 12 home runs and 40 RBI's so far this season, Rasmus has delivered in big games and in big moments, and tonight was no different. The rookie outfielder came in with the game tied and one out in the ninth innning after Yadier Molina singled home Ryan Ludwick to tie the game at 5-5. Colby Rasmus then took Padres closer Heath Bell deep on a 0-1 curveball. Game over. Cards win. Cards sweep the Padres.
Rasmus is showing why the Skip Schumaker move to 2nd base was such a good idea. Even before the acquisition of Matt Holliday, the Cardinals had a good amount of outfield talent with Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker and former Cardinal Chris Duncan. The team needed room for Rasmus, so Schumaker went to 2nd base. Rasmus hasn't played every day, but he has shown why the move was a good one with home runs like he had tonight.
Cardinals fans should look forward to more of the same. Go Colby.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Pineiro's Quality Start and Strong Offensive Output Leads Cardinals to 7-4 Win Over Padres
Joel Pineiro (11-9) went 6 and 2/3 innings and gave up 3 runs, while Matt Holliday hit his 16th home run of the year to lead the Cardinals (66-52) past the San Diego Padres (49-69) to remain 4.5 games over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central.
Pineiro started off a little shaky, giving up a run in the first inning, but the Cardinals were able to score 3 in the bottom half of the first to give Pineiro a 3-1 lead. Colby Rasmus singled with one out, Albert Pujols doubled and Matt Holliday homered to give the Cards a quick 3-1 lead.
Adrian Gonzalez closed the gap in the third inning when he hit a lead-off solo shot to make it 3-2.
Skip Schumaker made it 4-2 when he drove in Julio Lugo from 2nd with two outs in the fourth. Schumaker did the same in the 6th to extend the Cardinals lead to 5-2. Each time, Pineiro helped his cause, first with a walk in the 4th to push Lugo to second, and then with a sac bunt in the 6th to do the same.
The Padres once again made a comeback bid when they scored 2 in the 7th, but the Cardinals answered with two of their own in the bottom of the seventh.
Ryan Ludwick doubled off reliever Luke Gregerson, who had just entered the game. Mark DeRosa then singled to drive Ludwick in, and Yadier Molina hit a ground rule double. Then Brendan Ryan grounded out to score DeRosa.
Ryan Franklin picked up his 29th save to seal the Cardinals win and keep the Cardinals 4.5 games over the Chicago Cubs, who beat the Pirates today 3-1.
The Cardinals will look to sweep the series behind Kyle Lohse tomorrow afternoon.
Pineiro started off a little shaky, giving up a run in the first inning, but the Cardinals were able to score 3 in the bottom half of the first to give Pineiro a 3-1 lead. Colby Rasmus singled with one out, Albert Pujols doubled and Matt Holliday homered to give the Cards a quick 3-1 lead.
Adrian Gonzalez closed the gap in the third inning when he hit a lead-off solo shot to make it 3-2.
Skip Schumaker made it 4-2 when he drove in Julio Lugo from 2nd with two outs in the fourth. Schumaker did the same in the 6th to extend the Cardinals lead to 5-2. Each time, Pineiro helped his cause, first with a walk in the 4th to push Lugo to second, and then with a sac bunt in the 6th to do the same.
The Padres once again made a comeback bid when they scored 2 in the 7th, but the Cardinals answered with two of their own in the bottom of the seventh.
Ryan Ludwick doubled off reliever Luke Gregerson, who had just entered the game. Mark DeRosa then singled to drive Ludwick in, and Yadier Molina hit a ground rule double. Then Brendan Ryan grounded out to score DeRosa.
Ryan Franklin picked up his 29th save to seal the Cardinals win and keep the Cardinals 4.5 games over the Chicago Cubs, who beat the Pirates today 3-1.
The Cardinals will look to sweep the series behind Kyle Lohse tomorrow afternoon.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wainwright First NL Pitcher to Reach 14 Wins, Cards Defeat Padres 9-2
Adam Wainwright, although not the ace of the Cardinals staff, is the first National League pitcher to reach 14 wins in 2009, and ties Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox as the only two pitchers to have 14 wins so far this season. The 6 foot 7 inch, 205 pounder from Brunswick, Georgia is becoming one of the most consistent starters in the National League and always gives the Cardinals a good chance of winning. In his fourth full season as a Cardinal, Wainwright is now a very impressive 41-23 in his career. Wainwright also has 1 win, 4 saves and a 0.00 ERA in 9 and 2/3 innings in the postseason, all coming in 2006 when the Cardinals won the World Series. So Wainwright can do it in the clutch as well, although those innings came as a reliever.
Tonight against the Padres, Wainwright (14-7) went 7 scoreless innings and got 3 strikeouts, while giving up 8 hits and no walks. Wainwright also got the only Cardinals home run of the evening, his second of the year, a solo shot off Padres starter Mat Latos (4-2).
The Cardinals scored early and often against Latos, who gave up 7 runs over just 4 innings. Colby Rasmus went 3 for 5 with a run scored, and Matt Holliday went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI's to lead the Cardinals offense.
The second place Chicago Cubs put a whooping on the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates 17-2, so the Cardinals (65-52) still lead the Cubs (59-55) by 4.5 games.
Tonight against the Padres, Wainwright (14-7) went 7 scoreless innings and got 3 strikeouts, while giving up 8 hits and no walks. Wainwright also got the only Cardinals home run of the evening, his second of the year, a solo shot off Padres starter Mat Latos (4-2).
The Cardinals scored early and often against Latos, who gave up 7 runs over just 4 innings. Colby Rasmus went 3 for 5 with a run scored, and Matt Holliday went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI's to lead the Cardinals offense.
The second place Chicago Cubs put a whooping on the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates 17-2, so the Cardinals (65-52) still lead the Cubs (59-55) by 4.5 games.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Cardinals vs. Padres Series Preview
The NL Central Division leading St. Louis Cardinals (64-52) host the NL West's last place team, the San Diego Padres (49-68) this weekend for a three-game set. Don't let the records fool you, however. This could be a land mine for the Cardinals. The Padres, although they have a bad record, are 15-14 against the NL Central, and are 11-5 since July 27th.
The Cardinals will need to be on top of their game to make sure they can get the series win. The Cardinals will throw out Adam Wainwright, Joel Pineiro and Kyle Lohse, all coming off wins in their last starts. They will be facing three young pitchers in Mat Latos, Tim Stauffer, and Clayton Richard, two of whom (Latos and Richard) won games against the Mets and Brewers in their last starts, and Stauffer was a hard luck loser against Johan Santana and the Mets in his last start. Stauffer is a former first round draft pick for the Padres, so all three starters will attempt to get wins for the Padres and this will not be a series in which the Padres will lie down.
The Chicago Cubs will face the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend, so the Cubs will be looking to gain ground on the Cardinals in the NL Central race. This weekend will be yet another interesting weekend in the race, and should shed further light on where the NL Central is going the rest of the way.
The Cardinals will need to be on top of their game to make sure they can get the series win. The Cardinals will throw out Adam Wainwright, Joel Pineiro and Kyle Lohse, all coming off wins in their last starts. They will be facing three young pitchers in Mat Latos, Tim Stauffer, and Clayton Richard, two of whom (Latos and Richard) won games against the Mets and Brewers in their last starts, and Stauffer was a hard luck loser against Johan Santana and the Mets in his last start. Stauffer is a former first round draft pick for the Padres, so all three starters will attempt to get wins for the Padres and this will not be a series in which the Padres will lie down.
The Chicago Cubs will face the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend, so the Cubs will be looking to gain ground on the Cardinals in the NL Central race. This weekend will be yet another interesting weekend in the race, and should shed further light on where the NL Central is going the rest of the way.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Cards 3 Up and Hungry for More
With a win last night against the woeful Cincinnati Reds, the Cardinals improved their record to 63-51 and are now 3 full games over the slumping Chicago Cubs (58-52). Now ahead of the Cubs in the loss column, the Cardinals have a chance to gain further ground. The Cardinals have 2 more games against the ailing Reds today and Wednesday, and another 3 game series against the lowly Padres, while the Cubs are at home for three games against the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies. If the Phillies are able to win a couple from the Cubs, and the Cardinals do what they are supposed to do against the Reds and Padres, the 3 game lead could become even more. With only 50 or so games remaining in the season, it would be nice if the Cardinals could get a little breathing room in the NL Central race.
What was very encouraging in the win against the Reds last night was the outstanding pitching performance of Kyle Lohse, who pitched 6 innings, gave up one run on only 4 hits and had 3 K's. If Kyle Lohse can get hot (and this win against the Reds, who look like a Triple-A team right now doesn't count, but it is a start), that would be a big step for this Cardinal team who are looking for a solid 4th starter.
Mitchell Boggs will pitch against the Reds for Todd Wellemeyer who has gone on the DL. I'm guessing they just don't want him to start. Things look on the up and up for the Redbirds.
Go Cardinals!
What was very encouraging in the win against the Reds last night was the outstanding pitching performance of Kyle Lohse, who pitched 6 innings, gave up one run on only 4 hits and had 3 K's. If Kyle Lohse can get hot (and this win against the Reds, who look like a Triple-A team right now doesn't count, but it is a start), that would be a big step for this Cardinal team who are looking for a solid 4th starter.
Mitchell Boggs will pitch against the Reds for Todd Wellemeyer who has gone on the DL. I'm guessing they just don't want him to start. Things look on the up and up for the Redbirds.
Go Cardinals!
Monday, August 10, 2009
August Schedule Sets Up Nicely for Big Month
August could be a big month for the Cardinals, as they face many teams who are out of the playoff race in their respective divisions.
This week the Cardinals face the Cincinnati Reds (48-62) and the San Diego Padres (47-66) at home for two three-game series. Then the Cards go to LA to face the Dodgers (67-45) for 3 and then visit San Diego for a four game set. Then the Cardinals return home to face Houston (55-56) and (oddly enough) the red-hot Washington Nationals (40-72), both for a three-game series.
They will only face one team with a winning record, the LA Dodgers, however, the Dodgers have stumbled as of late, having only gone 3-6 in August. The Dodgers currently are on a 3-game losing streak, having lost 3 straight to the Atlanta Braves.
Hopefully the Cardinals can take advantage of this easier stretch of games and pull away in the National League Central Division race.
This week the Cardinals face the Cincinnati Reds (48-62) and the San Diego Padres (47-66) at home for two three-game series. Then the Cards go to LA to face the Dodgers (67-45) for 3 and then visit San Diego for a four game set. Then the Cardinals return home to face Houston (55-56) and (oddly enough) the red-hot Washington Nationals (40-72), both for a three-game series.
They will only face one team with a winning record, the LA Dodgers, however, the Dodgers have stumbled as of late, having only gone 3-6 in August. The Dodgers currently are on a 3-game losing streak, having lost 3 straight to the Atlanta Braves.
Hopefully the Cardinals can take advantage of this easier stretch of games and pull away in the National League Central Division race.
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