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 Cardinals began their six game road trip last night with a heartbreaking loss to the Houston Astros.  For the Cards, time is running out, and every loss puts them further out of the race.
The game started off as a pitchers duel between Kyle Lohse and Randy Wolf.  Lohse held the Astros scoreless through six before giving up a two run homer to David Newhan.  The Cardinal starter left the game after eight very solid innings with the game tied at two.
When the Cardinals didn’t score in the top of the ninth, veteran reliever Russ Springer was summoned out of [...]

After losing big in the first game of the short series against Milwaukee on Tuesday, the Cardinals “played a hard nine” to take game two last night.
It was Adam Wainwrights second start since coming off the disabled list.  He wasn’t dominant, but he definitely got the job done.  He lasted 6 innings on 89 pitches, allowing 3 runs (2 earned), and got a pair of strikeouts.  Kyle McClellan and Ryan Franklin each pitched a scoreless inning to bridge the gap to the ninth for Chris Perez.
After taking the lead with a four run eighth, the Cardinals looked once again to [...]

The clock is ticking, and the Cardinals need wins.  We would have liked to see a two game sweep to begin the home stand against Pittsburgh.  But the Cards split.  We would have liked to see a three game sweep against Atlanta.  But the they could only take two.  And in what seems like the most important series of the second half, we would have liked to see the Redbirds get redemption with a pair of wins against Milwaukee.  Game one is in the books.  Brewers 12, Cardinals 0.
From looking at the final score, you would think that starter Todd [...]

Just to lighten the mood after yesterday’s loss, we’ll revisit the Batting Stance Guy. Enjoy!

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 [...]

In the stretch run to keep their playoff hopes alive, the St. Louis Cardinals started the current seven game home stand with a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates last night. The loss was especially frustrating for fans when the offense and defense couldn’t show up to compliment the outstanding pitching performance from Braden Looper.  He went 7 innings, allowing 1 run and only 3 hits.  Here’s the full recap and box score.
Another starter, Adam Wainwright, is ready to get back to pitching in the big leagues, but is still sitting on the disabled list, waiting for the news on his role, or [...]

The Cardinals enjoyed only their second day off since the All-Star break today, but it’s just one of four off days scheduled in the next eleven days.  We knew the schedule makers were out of their minds when they had the Cards traveling to Detroit for the third consecutive year this season, but this makes me believe that they really do just throw darts at a calendar.
Tomorrow at Busch Stadium, the Cards will play the first of a short, two game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates before taking another day of rest.  Braden Looper (11-9, 4.07 ERA) will face Ian [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]