No Rainout This Time

I thought that I might get to bed at a decent time.  After all, the game started an hour earlier than usual tonight.  Two rain delays and over five hours later, it’s twenty after midnight, and the game is finally over.

The Cardinals scored four runs in the first, and outlasted both the Nationals and the weather to hold on for a 6-1 victory in the first game of the series.  I admit I was pretty worried that the rain would wash out another Cardinal win as it did back on Opening Day.

A couple of quick notes on the game.  Albert Pujols left for a pinch runner in the fourth.  He apparently experienced tightness in his calf.  No word yet on whether he’ll play tomorrow. Also, tonight was the debut of relief pitcher Mark Worrell.  It was my first time seeing his quirky delivery.  It’s odd, but I guess it works.  He pitched a scoreless ninth.  Worrell makes the seventh player to make his Major League debut with the Cardinals this season.

Here’s the a full recap of tonight’s action, as well as the box score.

And there’s news from my back yard.  Matt Clement made his first rehab start of the year for the Palm Beach Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium today.  He threw six shutout innings and allowed just one hit.  He struck out five and didn’t walk a batter. That’s a very encouraging first step.  Eric Justic has the full story.