Another Blown Save

In the first of four games against Milwaukee, the Cardinals lose on a blown save by closer Jason Isringhausen.  With a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, Izzy was able to retire the first two batters on just two pitches.  Two singles, a walk, and a walk-off hit later, the Cards lost 4-3.

Overall, it was a sloppy game for the Cardinals.  Brendan Ryan, Todd Wellemeyer, and Yadier Molina each had an error.  Wellemeyer also balked and threw a wild pitch, although Molina probably should have blocked it.  Both runs allowed by Wellemeyer were unearned.

Aside from Albert Pujols solo blast in the first, the offense was just as sluggish as the defense.  The two runs in the second were the result of a hit batsman and a pair of walks.

The relief work from Kyle McClellan and Ryan Franklin was good, but you knew when Isringhausen was warming up it was time to buckle your seatbelt.  Izzy started the year converting his first 5 save opportunities, and 8 of his first 9.  Since then, he’s only been able to close out 3 of 7.  Of course there have been a couple of those that Isringhausen isn’t entirely responsible for, most notably Wednesday’s game in Colorado.  Although tonight’s was a team loss, the Brewers’ ninth inning comeback is only on Isringhausen.

All the pitches that were hit off Izzy were right down the middle, with very little movement.  Major League hitters will certainly be able to get the barrel of the bat on pitches like that, even slumping, soft hitting second baseman like Rickie Weeks.  His walk-off hit ended the Brewers six game losing streak, and builds confidence and momentum for Milwaukee with three more games to play in this series.

The Cardinals now have their jocks wrapped in a three game losing streak of their own, their first of the season.  It’s a shame that it comes on a game that the Brew Crew didn’t show up to play until two out in the ninth.

Lost in Isringhausen’s mess is a nice performance from Wellemeyer.  He lasted 6 innings, and was able to pitch around a couple of errors and a bad call on an infield single in the first.  He struck out two, and didn’t walk a batter.

Other game notes worth mentioning include Troy Glaus coming out the game after being hit by a pitch,  Aaron Miles trying to lay down a bunt with two out, one on, and Albert Pujols on deck, and the continued funk that Chris Duncan can’t seem to get out of.  Here’s the full recap and box score.

I expect a DL stint for Isringhausen in the very near future.  Hopefully he’ll be able to come back after a break and rack up the 8 more saves he needs to reach 300.

In other news, former Cardinal and fan favorite Jim Edmonds was officially released by the Padres today.  Joe Strauss has the full story.  I’m not sure if he’ll latch on elsewhere or just retire, but either way, I wish him the best.  He’d get my Hall of Fame vote.

Tomorrow’s game features Joel Pineiro and Ben Sheets.  Sheets is off to an excellent start this season, and will make it tough for the Cardinals to turn things around.