UCB Game Blog – Third Inning

Today’s game against the Chicago Cubs is being collectively covered by ten different Cardinal blogs in a unique project from the UCB group.  Find the pre-game notes over at C70 at the Bat.  Stan Musial’s Stance has the first inning, and The Cardinal Virtue has the second.

After a couple of quick innings, the Cubs came to bat in the top of the third with the only hit on the scoreboard in a scoreless game.  Cardinal starter Kyle Lohse was very efficient in the first two, and the third was no exception.  Facing the bottom of the order, Lohse got Mike Fontenot to ground out to first, Reed Johnson to line out to center, and Ted Lilly to ground out to third, retiring the side on just 11 pitches.  His pitch count through three was just 34, while facing the minimum with the help of the double play in the second.

In the bottom half, after Yadier Molina and Lohse both grounded out to the left side, shortstop Cesar Izturis picked up the first Cardinal hit with a single to center.  Last night’s hero, Skip Schumaker, grounded out to Derrick Lee for the second time, stranding the Cards’ first baserunner.

Interestingly, while the Redbirds lead the league in walks, averaging nearly five per game, only three of their first ten batters in today’s contest saw a two ball count.

So, not a lot of action to this point, but with the Cubs in town, there’s bound to be some fireworks.  Coverage continues at Cardinals GM.

Go Cards!