Daily Rant: Cardinals win nail-biter in Miami

The Cardinals traveled to Miami to take on the Marlins in game one of a three game set on Monday. The last time the Cardinals went to the Marlins cavernous new ballpark, they ruined the Opening Night festivities. This time around wasn’t much better for the Marlins as the Cardinals overcame poor relief pitching and a scorecard blunder to win the game 8-7 in late innings. Find out more after the jump.

Box Score

Final 10		1		2		3		4		5		6		7	8	9	10	R	H	E

St Louis	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	4	2	8	12	0

Miami	0	0	1	0	1	0	4	0	0	1	7	11	3


WP: V. Marte (2-1) S: J. Motte (15) LP: C. Gaudin (1-1)

	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	BB	K	SB	LOB	Season Avg
R. Furcal ss	5	2	1	1	0	1	0	0	1	.287
J. Jay cf	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.331
S. Robinson ph-cf	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	2	.246
M. Holliday lf	5	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.304
C. Beltran rf	3	2	2	1	0	3	0	0	0	.312
A. Craig 1b	4	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	4	.311
V. Marte p	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
J. Kelly ph	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	.250
J. Motte p	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Y. Molina c	6	1	2	2	1	0	1	0	3	.319
D. Freese 3b	5	1	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.281
T. Cruz 1b	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.163
D. Descalso 2b-3b	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	4	.241
J. Westbrook p	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	.167
S. Schumaker ph	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	.305
F. Salas p	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
E. Sanchez p	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
M. Rzepczynski p	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
M. Carpenter ph	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	.286
S. Freeman p	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
T. Greene 2b	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.233
Totals	41	8	12	6	1	7	9	0	17

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	WHIP	Season ERA
J. Westbrook	6.0	6	2	2	2	0	0	1.32	3.77
F. Salas	0.1	1	2	2	1	0	0	1.79	5.25
E. Sanchez	0.0	0	2	2	3	0	0	1.50	5.79
M. Rzepczynski	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	0	1.46	5.19
S. Freeman	1.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.31	5.91
V. Marte (W, 2-1)	0.2	1	0	0	1	0	0	1.39	3.55
J. Motte (S, 15)	1.0	2	1	1	1	2	0	1.04	3.48

The Positives

Rafael Furcal had a 1-2 night, drove in a run, and scored two runs including the game-winner in the tenth inning.
Matt Holliday enjoyed a 3-4 night and now has his average over .300
Carlos Beltran not only picked up two hits, but also three walks. He drove in a run and scored twice.
Joe Kelly had a rare pinch-hitting appearance in the tenth thanks to a scorecard misunderstanding. He came in with the bases loaded and delivered with an RBI single.
Yadier Molina went 2-6 and drove in two runs with his eleventh home run.
David Freese had a two hit night and scored a run.
Jake Westbrook went six innings and only gave up to earned runs as he kept the Cardinals in the game. Unfortunately, the Cardinals saw some relief pitching woes so he didn’t factor in to the decision.
Marc Rzepczynski, Sam Freeman, and Victor Marte combined for two and to two thirds innings of scoreless baseball.

Justin’s Jeers

As stated, the corps of Fernando Salas and Eduardo Sanchez let the team down, as Salas only recorded one out, but gave up a hit, a walk, and was on the hook for two earned runs. Sanchez didn’t even record an out as he walked three batters and allowed two earned of his own.
Jason Motte picked up his fifteenth save, but also allowed three base runners and an earned run.
Jon Jay followed up an awesome first game back with an 0-3 night. He as joined by Allen Craig and Daniel Descalso who didn’t record a hit.
As usual, the Cardinals had issues knocking in runners, as they left seventeen runners on base. Allen Craig and Daniel Descalso led the way with four a piece.

Three Stars

3) Carlos Beltran – Beltran picked up two hits, three walks, drove in a run, and scored twice.

2) Matt Holliday – Holliday had a three hit night and pushed his batting average over .300.

1) Yadier Molina – Molina hit his eleventh home run in the ninth, which forced extra innings.

Standings

Central	W	L	Pct	GB	Home	Road	RS	RA	Diff	Streak	L10
Cincinnati Reds	40	32	.556	—	22-15	18-17	313	276	+37	Won 1	5-5
Pittsburgh Pirates	38	34	.528	2.0	23-13	15-21	252	262	–10	Lost 2	6-4
St. Louis Cardinals	39	35	.527	2.0	17-16	22-19	374	306	+68	Won 4	6-4
Milwaukee Brewers	33	40	.452	7.5	18-18	15-22	318	335	–17	Lost 3	5-5
Houston Astros	30	43	.411	10.5	21-18	9-25	310	354	–44	Lost 1	3-7
Chicago Cubs	25	48	.342	15.5	15-19	10-29	270	335	–65	Won 1	4-6

Today’s Game

The Cardinals look to secure a series victory tonight as Kyle Lohse takes the hill against Carlos Zambrano. Lohse has a 6-2 record and a 2.85 ERA and has pitched quality starts in his last four starts. Zambrano is 4-5 with a 4.01 ERA. He is 12-6 in his career against St Louis with a 3.40 ERA, but in six starts this season, he as not been a good starter in Miami’s home park. Game time is set for 6:10.

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