Cardinals even up series against Giants

Veteran Carlos Beltran and rookie pitcher Shelby Miller were key to the St. Louis Cardinals evening up the series against the San Francisco Giants.
Apr 6, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller (40) pitches into the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-3. Image Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
This has got to be the worst scheduling by far for the Cardinals. I have nothing against starting the season on the west coast but to see the Cardinals, who were up 3-2 in the National League Championship Series over the Giants, play the Giants during the series in which they raise their World Series Banner and get their World Series rings just adds more pain to the hurt.

Friday’s game was available nationally to viewers on the MLB Network outside of the St. Louis media market.

On Friday, the Cardinals lost 1-0. Barry Zito and the Giants bullpen only allowed the Cardinals to reach base on a hit 3 times. Allen Craig had two hits and Jon Jay had the third. The Cardinals pitching limited the Giants to 6 hits.

Despite what appeared to be a solid outing from starter Jake Westbrook, the pitcher struggled to find the strike zone. In 6.2 innings, Westbrook allowed 6 hits, walked 6 batters and struck out one. Of his 116 pitches, only 67 were for strikes. Trevor Rosenthal showed his impressive power on the mound, striking out three batters in a 14-pitch eighth inning.

On the Saturday afternoon FOX Game of the Week, it was the former Giant outfielder Carlos Beltran who helped power the Cardinals to victory.

Beltran had a 3-RBI game to help power the Cardinals to victory.

The rookie pitcher, Miller, was not afraid to use his curveball but he made a few mistakes, which resulted in Hunter Pence‘s home run and another run in the third inning. Yadier Molina‘s leadership and pitch-calling will only help to improve Miller’s pitching this season. It’s only Miller’s first start of the season.

Miller will have to calm down with his control this season. Of the final nine batters he faced yesterday, he walked four of them. Overall, he allowed 4 hits, walked 4, and struck out 4.

Pete Kozma continued to show that he may be a late bloomer. He went 3 for 4 at the plate yesterday, scoring and driving in a run.

Mitchell Boggs picked up his first save of the season.

The Cardinals and Giants resume action this afternoon as the Giants receive their World Series rings.