Daily Rant: Cardinals hold off ninth inning rally

The Cardinals rallied back from a loss on Friday night to hold off the Pirates in the ninth inning and pick up a key victory and earn a game in the standings.

Box Score

The Positives

• Rafael Furcal hit a single and a double in his return to the leadoff spot. He also scored two runs.
• Matt Carpenter hit an RBI single.
• Matt Holliday hit a single.
• Allen Craig hit two singles and scored a run.
• Yadier Molina hit a single and two doubles. He drove in two runs and scored another.
• Shane Robinson hit a single and his sixth double. He drove in two runs.
• Barrett Browning, Trevor Rosenthal, Edward Mujica, Mitchell Boggs, and Jason Motte pitched four and two thirds innings while only allowing one run. Motte picked up his 28th save.

Justin’s Jeers

• Lance Lynn had a very subpar outing. He struck out eight through four and a third innings, but also gave up four hits, three walks, and three earned runs.
• David Freese and Ryan Jackson were held hitless.
• Ryan Jackson started at second base again. There’s no reason that he shouldn’t be starting at shortstop.

Three Stars

3) Rafael Furcal – Furcal scored two runs in a two hit night.

2) Shane Robinson – Robinson drove in two runs with two hits.

1) Yadier Molina – Molina had a great return to the lineup with a three hit, two RBI night.

Standings