Cards in a Funk

And it continues.  After last night’s loss to Pittsburgh, the Cardinals are now 22-18, and have won only one game in their last seven.  Chicago and Houston both lost last night too, so no ground was given up in the standings.

Remember during much of the first month, the Cardinals were playing tough, young, and with something to prove.  During this losing stretch, I don’t see any sign of that earlier club.  I thought the Tony La Russa ejection the other night was just what this club needed to get their intensity back.  I thought the Pirates were the perfect team to whip up on, and the Cards could remember how much fun it is to win.

Because of rain, this one started late, and in extra innings, ended late because of a rough showing from Cardinal lefty Ron Villone.  With the game tied at four in the tenth, Villone gave up 4 runs on 4 hits and a pair of walks.

On the positive side, starter Kyle Lohse pitched much better than he had in his previous two outings.  He was excellent through six, but faltered in the seventh, finishing with 4 runs allowed on 5 hits, while striking out 4.  Russ Springer and Ryan Franklin each pitched a scoreless frame, although Franklin’s ninth was quite eventful.

Troy Glaus hit his second home run, a three run shot in the sixth.  Albert Pujols tied the game with a bomb in the eighth.  And shortstop Cesar Izturis made another outstanding play on defense.  Here’s the full box score.

Now, for some links.  It looks like Tyler Johnson will finally succumb to shoulder surgery. He’ll likely miss the rest of the season.  Matthew Leach has the full story.

Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of Stan Musial’s 3000th hit.  He apparently would have liked to do it front of the home fans, but came in as a pinch hitter in a close game in Chicago, and doubled in a run.  Robert Falkoff has more.

Check out the latest from Derrick Goold.  He crunches the numbers on Cardinal base running over at Bird Land.

We all have come to expect great stuff from VEB, and Larry’s post on Monday was no exception.

Tonight’s game features Todd Wellemeyer and Paul Maholm.  The Cardinals need to get back to their winning ways.  The schedule doesn’t get any easier from here.