Cards Fall to Reds 4-3

First and foremost, welcome to the new site. This is the first post for the new dig, and although the layout has changed, you’ll still find a very opinionated writer in control of the keyboard, after all, I’m Mike, and this is Mike on the Cards. You should notice that I’m part of the MLB Hub network. For those unaware, The Hub is a new blog network dedicated to providing all the news and happenings from around the league. Without the help of Matt and the crew at MLB Hub, this new site wouldn’t exist. I hope you enjoy the new site, and continue to visit, and as always, comments are welcome.

Now, back to the action. The Cardinals opened a three game series against Cincinnati tonight in St. Louis. There were a few interesting side stories coming into this one, including Walt Jocketty’s return to St. Louis.  Todd Wellemeyer and the Cardinals hoped to contain Ken Griffey Jr. and his quest for 600 career home runs.  Troy Glaus was outfitted with his new specs, and Ryan Ludwick was leading off for the first time in his career.

It was clear from the start that Wellemeyer didn’t have his best stuff. His fastball was missing location and his breaking pitch wasn’t sharp. After giving up a few runs in the early innings, he managed to settle in and get through six, allowing four runs on seven hits. One run, however, scored on a ball lifted to shallow left that Chris Duncan and company lost in the lights.

For the offense, it was the same story, different day, as they once again struggled to come up with the clutch hit, leaving 10 runners stranded as a team. On the plus side, outfielder Rick Ankiel might be about to break out of his recent slump. After his two walks in yesterday’s game, he went 2 for 5 tonight, with a double and his fifth home run of the season. Matthew Leach has the full recap.

I hate to second guess the manager, and I’ll rarely do it after the fact, but the decision to put Ludwick in the leadoff spot definitely looks bad after his 0 for 5, 4 strikeout night. At least we know we’ll see Skip Schumaker back in the lineup tomorrow.

It will be Joel Pineiro taking the mound for the Cardinals tomorrow. He’s coming off his best start of the year, a seven inning gem against the Pirates last Thursday. He’ll be opposed by Johnny Cueto. No more LOB!