Daily Rant: Cardinals unleash offense on Matt Cain

The Cardinals hosted the San Francisco Giants in the first game of a four game series on Monday night. They made the match-up with the usually daunting Matt Cain look easy as they beat the Giants 8-2.

Box Score

The Positives

• Allen Craig hit his 21st double of the season and scored a run.
• Matt Holliday hit his 28th double of the year and also scored a run.
• Carlos Beltran scored two runs. One was on a solo shot which was his 26th home run of the season. He also drew a walk.
• David Freese hit a two RBI single to bring his season total to 64. He also reached base on a walk and scored two runs.
• Yadier Molina hit a single, reached base on a walk, and scored a run.
• Jon Jay was a perfect 4-4 with four singles. He drove in two runs and scored another.
• Rafael Furcal hit an RBI single. He now has 43 runs batted in on the season.
• Matt Carpenter hit a pinch-hit two RBI single.
• Jake Westbrook hurled a six inning, two earned run quality start. He gave up no walks and only allowed seven base runners.
• Edward Mujica, who hasn’t allowed a run as a Cardinal, Fernando Salas, and Brian Fuentes combined for three scoreless innings to end the game. The only blemish was a hit given up by Mujica.

Justin’s Jeers

• Daniel Descalso was held hitless as he bat leadoff.

Three Stars

3) David Freese – Freese hit a two RBI single and scored twice.

2) Carlos Beltran – Beltran’s solo shot tied the game in the second and the Cardinals never looked back.

1) Jon Jay – Jay was perfect at the plate with a four hit performance.

Standings