Daily Rant: Cardinals even series with Royals with 10-7 win

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The Cardinals took on the Kansas City Royals in the second game of their three game set in St Louis. With a journeyman Royals starter and the unpredictable rookie Joe Kelly pitching for the Cardinals, this game turned into a high-scoring affair. After the Royals took the lead late, the Cardinals answered back with a big inning to take the game and tie the series. Click the jump to find out who the top performers were.

Box Score

Final123456789RHE
Kansas City1001113007140
St. Louis42000031X10142
WP: M. Boggs (1-1) S: J. Motte (14)
LP: T. Collins (4-1)
ABRHRBIHRBBKSBLOBSeason Avg
R. Furcal ss511000001.291
C. Beltran rf423101002.309
M. Holliday lf524510001.278
    J. Motte p000000000.000
A. Craig 1b300002102.340
D. Freese 3b512000207.278
Y. Molina c312411000.323
S. Robinson cf400000103.259
T. Greene 2b311000001.234
    M. Rzepczynski p000000000.000
    M. Boggs p000000000.000
    A. Chambers ph-lf111000000.212
J. Kelly p100000000.000
    V. Marte p000000000.000
    S. Freeman p000000000.000
    E. Sanchez p000000000.000
    D. Descalso 2b010001000.227
 Totals34101410254017
IPHRERBBKHRWHIPSeason ERA
J. Kelly4.17321311.712.89
V. Marte0.20001001.213.72
S. Freeman (H, 1)1.01222001.425.68
E. Sanchez0.01110001.123.38
M. Rzepczynski (BS, 5)0.23110101.405.55
M. Boggs (W, 1-1)1.11000001.142.48
J. Motte (S, 14)1.01000201.013.34

The Positives

  • Rafael Furcal returned to the leadoff spot with a 1-5 night and scored one of the Cardinals ten runs.
  • Carlos Beltran had a big day as he hit three singles, drove in a run, and scored two runs.
  • Matt Holliday led the way for the Cardinals with a four hit day. He belted his eleventh home run of the season, scored two runs, and drove in five.
  • David Freese had a two hit game and scored one of the Cardinals runs.
  • Yadier Molina hit his ninth home run of the season in a two hit game. He drove in four of the Cardinals ten runs.
  • Tyler Greene also picked up a hit and scored a run.
  • Victor Marte and Mitchell Boggs pitched a scoreless two innings combined. Boggs picked up the win.
  • Jason Motte allowed one hit in the ninth, but struck out two and allowed no earned runs to pick up his fourteenth save.

Justin’s Jeers

  • Allen Craig and  Shane Robinson were held hitless, although Craig walked twice.
  • Even though the Cardinals scored ten runs and picked up a win, it is upsetting to see that they stranded seventeen base runners. David Freese was the biggest culprit, stranding seven.
  • Joe Kelly was unspectacular in his second start. He didn’t factor into the decision, but he allowed eight base runners and three runs in four and a third innings.
  • Sam Freeman, Eduardo Sanchez, and Marc Rzepczynski pitched one and two thirds innings combined and allowed four earned runs to blow the lead the Cardinals had built up.

Today’s Game

The Cardinals aim to win the home series with the Royals today as they send out 5-7 Adam Wainwright against 2-3 Luis Mendoza. Mendoza has a 4.89 ERA while Wainwright has a 4.75 mark. Game time is set for 1:15.