Daily Rant: Cardinals fall in late innings

The Cardinals took on the Philadelphia Phillies and took a loss in the tenth inning. Yadier Molina had a back and forth conversation with Carlos Ruiz after running him over at the plate in an attempt to score. Who were the Cardinals big performers? Click the jump to find out.

Box Score

The Positives

• Another big game for Rafael Furcal, who hit his third home run of the season. I went back through all of the games that took place before I started awarding the three stars and awarded them and Furcal has taken a star in just about every game. Total opinion on my part, but Furcal has been a candidate for Cardinals MVP.
• Yadi had two hits and an RBI and also showed the temper that has earned respect from other players. He tried to score from first late in the game and charged Carlos Ruiz at the plate. He was called out, but hit Ruiz cleanly. When Yadi came up the next time around, Jonathan Papelbon gave him two very inside pitches that Yadi visibly discusses with Ruiz.
• Matt Adams was a force. He had three hits and a run, but also a fielding error.
• Shane Robinson had a two hit night and showed why he’s been starting over Adron Chambers in Jon Jay‘s absence. Chambers might be a slightly better hitter, but Robinson has a much stronger outfield arm.
• Kyle Lohse had a solid outing, only giving up two earned runs through six and a third. He continues to be the Cardinals most consistent pitcher.

Justin’s Jeers

• While Tyler Greene had a hit, he also struck out twice including a crucial spot late in the game with the chance to get the win.
• Matt Holliday had an Ofer. He walked twice to get on base, but when Holliday isn’t hitting, the Cardinals have a much harder time winning games.
• Carlos Beltran had a rare bad night. He went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts and stranded two base runners. Jon Jay and Allen Craig need to return so that Beltran can afford to have a seat.
• Matheny might catch flak for having Motte pitch a second inning, but he’s actually been pretty solid. He holds a 1.82 ERA in games that he pitches more than an inning. That being said, the home run ball to Hunter Pence was an ugly pitch.

Three Stars

3) Shane Robinson – Robinson’s two for three night with an RBI kept the Cardinals in this game. Good offensive games are rare out of Shane, but they are always welcome.

2) Rafael Furcal – Furcal’s solo shot tied the game up, but the Cardinals couldn’t hold the lead in the late innings.

1) Matt Adams – These are the type of games we need out of Adams if he hopes to truly start his reign as the starting first baseman.

Standings

Today’s Game

In the last two games of the series, the Cardinals hope to earn a series tie with the suddenly hot Phillies. Tonight, Jaime Garcia takes his 3-2 record and challenges 0-4 Kyle Kendrick. Jaime has a 3.55 ERA and, as usual, has been stronger at home than on the road. Kendrick has a 5.23 ERA and sports a 2-1 record with a 4.88 ERA in three starts and two relief appearances in Busch Stadium.