Cardinals 6 – Marlins 3

Complete Recap

Jake Westbrook v. Josh Johnson for the finale did not go as I am sure most expected. It turned into a pitchers duel and Westbrook ended up getting a bum deal on a botched play in center by Colby Rasmus in the 7th. Josh Johnson picks up his first loss on the season and his ERA dropped a point to 1.68 now.

The home crowd of 38,509 saw a short game that gave up no errors this afternoon, official game time was 2:36.

The Cardinals started early today and the tough to beat Johnson, going in order with Colby, Albert, and then Holliday knocking in the RBI single in the top of the 1st to jump out to an early 1-0 lead.

Outside of that there was no real excitement and inning by inning the game just seemed to zip by and next thing you knew, we were in the top of the 5th.

The 5th seemed uneventful as well with the first two Marlins going down quickly. Greg Dobbs then singles, catcher John Buck singles and then the runs are aboard to catch the lead. Omar Infante singles to score Dobbs and pitcher Josh Johnson (career .131 hitter) singles to score John Buck, the Marlins lead after the top of the 5th 2-1.

The Cardinals catch up in the 6th briefly. Colby walks, Albert singles, and Berkman eventually hits a sac fly to score Colby, 2-2.

Quickly the Marlins regain their composure in the top of the 7th. John Buck doubles on an odd play where the ball “deflects” off of Colby in what looks like an error but is recorded as a double. Interestingly enough the Cardinals were 14-2 coming into today in games where they would not record an error. Omar Infante singles to score John Buck and that is the end of the day for Jake, 3-2 Marlins.

Trever Miller finishes the inning and Jason Motte pitches the top of the 8th.

The Bottom half of the 8th is where this got interesting. Ryan Theriot grounds out to become the first out victim, Colby singles, Albert singles, and Matt Holliday drives in Colby, 3-3 with a pitching change bringing in Michael Dunn.

Unfortunately for him the first batter he faces is an extremely hot Lance Berkman with two on. Lance thus crushes his 10th HR of the season to left field and the Cards go back on top 6-3! The Marlins could not contend with the and end up giving up the game to Eduardo Sanchez in the 9th who ensures the Cardinals victory.

All in all, GREAT showing for the Cardinals. Westbrook looks better, Holliday and Colby had 2 hits, while Albert gathers 3. Holliday gets credit for two of the RBIs and Lance Berkman is responsible for the other 4. The bullpen had an absolute shutdown day once again as well, allowing no hits or runs in the late innings.

Winning Pitcher: Jason Motte (1-0 : 1.23 ERA)

Losing Pitcher: Josh Johnson (3-1 : 1.68 ERA)

Save: Eduardo Sanchez (3 SV : 2.92 ERA)