Cards Tame Tigers

For some bizarre reason, the schedule makers for MLB have the St. Louis Cardinals visiting Detroit for the third straight year.  It’s pretty ridiculous.  Regardless, the Cards were able to win the first game of the series, despite getting swept out of Tigertown the past two years.

The Cardinal bats were able to peg Detroit cheater starter Kenny Rodgers with 5 runs through 5.1 innings.  I guess he forgot the pine tar this time around.  Every Cardinal batter reached base at least once during the game.  Five different Cardinals contributed with RBI, including the newest Redbird, Nick Stavinoha, who picked up his first in the big leagues.

Braden Looper pitched effectively, collecting his ninth win.  He lasted 6 innings, allowing 4 runs, all on 3 home runs (although the replay showed that one of the homers didn’t actually leave the yard).  He also struck out three.  The bullpen shut out the Tigers the rest of the way.  8-4 was the final.  Here’s the full recap and box score.

The latest news on disabled slugger Albert Pujols is good.  According to Matthew Leach, it’s likely that Pujols will be activated in time for Thursday’s game.  So far, the Cardinals are 6-6 without Albert, which considering the schedule, is far better than I imagined they would be.  It’ll be nice to get El Hombre back.  Even though they’ve held their own, I would prefer not to see Yadier Molina or Adam Kennedy play any more first base.  But, as Tony La Russa says, you play with what you have, and the Cardinals are doing that quite well.

Tomorrow’s match up should be a good one.  Kyle Lohse gets the start for the Cards. He’s 9-2, with a 3.63 ERA.  Armando Galarraga will start for Detroit.  He’s 7-2, with 3.03 ERA.  Hopefully, the Cardinals can continue right where they left off.