St. Louis Cardinals spot 7 runs, Westbrook falters in win

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The St. Louis Cardinals spotted 7 runs in the first two innings this afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers. Ultimately, the Cardinals won 8-6 but starting pitcher Jake Westbook is sure to be on his way out of the rotation.
Aug 21, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig (left) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo homer in the 2nd inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Image Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Westbrook was unable to get out of the fifth inning. He pitched 4.2 innings. He allowed 9 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 1 walk, and struck out 1 batter. He allowed a 3-run home run to Aramis Ramirez, who has owned Cardinals pitching for many seasons now.

In his last 10 starts, Westbrook is 3-6 with a 6.75 ERA. I don’t know how much longer that Mike Matheny will stick with him in the rotation. It can’t be too much longer now. The Cardinals and Westbrook have a mutual option for next season or a buyout. This season, Westbrook is sitting on a 7-8 record with a 4.35 ERA.

In four games this month–including long relief following the sudden exit of Shelby Miller against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the starter is 0-3 with a 10.29 ERA. The only no-decision came today and that’s only because he was unable to get out of the 5th inning. It’s possible that Matheny considers Michael Wacha for a spot start. He hasn’t pitched since Monday night’s game. That’s who Jeff Gordon’s vote is for. Gordon notes just how much the Cardinals needed Kyle Lohse, who departed as a free agent. Lohse is 9-8 this season but 6-2 with a 2.63 ERA in his last ten appearances.

The Cardinals had 3 home runs on the afternoon. Carlos Beltran, Allen Craig, and Matt Holliday all went yard. Holliday’s blast came in the top of the ninth inning. Beltran and Craig went yard during the 6-run second inning.

Craig added another 2 RBI that came with two outs. One of them came in the first inning. The second came on his solo home run in the second inning.

As far the race for the National League Batting Title, Yadier Molina did not get any hits and is sitting on a .332 average while Chris Johnson went 1 for 5 and is sitting at .332 right now.