INSIDE PITCH
On another night, Edwin Jackson's
first start for the Cardinals would have been the attention grabber.
Jackson,
pitching for his sixth team, held the Chicago Cubs to one run over seven innings
as the Cardinals rolled to a 9-2 victory.
But those who stayed
until near the end got what they came for -- to see the 2,000th career hit by
first baseman Albert Pujols, who got his second double of the game in the eighth
inning and then received a loud, long ovation from the 42,042 who were in
attendance.
Pujols joined only four
other players who have achieved 2,000 or more hits in a Cardinals uniform, led,
of course, by Stan Musial, who had 3,630 hits, followed by Lou Brock, Rogers
Hornsby and Enos Slaughter.
"It was really humbling,"
said Pujols of the ovation. "I thought there were a couple of tears that were
going to come. It was really emotional to be able to do it tonight with a great
win and do it here in front of the fans. ... It can't be better than that."
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| Jackson |
But, said Pujols, said,
"It's sad that this 2,000th hit pretty much took the great headlines from Edwin
Jackson. He did an unbelievable job for his first game with us. He gave us a
lift. We had lost a couple of tough games against Houston."
Jackson, acquired from the Chicago White Sox through Toronto, allowed seven hits and walked two
while throwing 66 strikes out of 95 pitches.
"I think we were all
impressed by (Jackson's) composure," said manager Tony La
Russa. "You can tell he's been out there. He really held together. What a lift.
His first start. Now repeat that, however many more he's
got."
Boxscore
NOTES,
QUOTES
The Cardinals jumped
ahead in the fourth when 3B David Freese hit a three-run homer. Four of Freese's
six homers have come on the first pitch.
RHP Kyle McClellan, who
lost his starting spot to RHP Edwin Jackson, who was acquired on Wednesday,
retired just one of four men he faced in the eighth in his second relief
appearance of the season.
INF Ryan Theriot, who had
been 2 for his last 41, delivered a two-run pinch double in the sixth and
doubled home another run in the eighth. For the first time this season, he
entered the game at second base on defense rather than at shortstop, where he
has made 16 errors. Rookie Daniel Descalso started at shortstop on Friday and
Tyler Greene finished up, but the Cardinals are seeking veteran help at the
position before Sunday's trading deadline and have had conversations with the
Los Angeles Dodgers concerning Rafael Furcal.
At age 31, 1B Albert
Pujols, who has 2,000 career hits, would seem to have plenty of time to reach
3,000 hits for his career. "I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow," said
Pujols. "I don't like to think about numbers." But, he admitted later, "Three
thousand will be there, hopefully, before you know it."
SS Tyler Greene replaced
INF Nick Punto on the roster as Punto was put on the disabled list for the third
time this season, this time with a strained left oblique muscle. RF Lance Berkman sat out again with a sore right shoulder but might be able to play on
Saturday. C Gerald Laird, who suffered a sprained ring finger of his left hand
on Thursday, didn't play but isn't seriously hurt.
BY THE NUMBERS: 9 -
Stolen bases for INF Tyler Greene, who stole one on Friday and still leads the
team even after spending the previous five weeks in the
minors.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "My next
goal is to hopefully to be in Cooperstown. But
even though that's my dream, I don't even want to think about
it."
- 1B Albert Pujols, after getting
his 2,000th hit on Friday.
ROSTER
REPORT
MEDICAL
WATCH:
C Gerald Laird (sprained
left ring finger) left the July 28 game. He didn't play July 29, but the injury
is not serious.
C Tony Cruz (bruised
right hand) left the July 28 game. The extent of the injury wasn't immediately
known.
INF Nick Punto (strained
left oblique) left the July 28 game and was placed on the disabled list July
29.
RF Lance Berkman
(strained right shoulder) did not play July 27-29. He got a cortisone shot July
27, and he is unlikely to return before July 30.
RHP Eduardo Sanchez (mild
right shoulder strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 13.
He began a rehab assignment with Class AA Springfield on July 7 but had renewed
soreness soon after and was shut down until late August or early
September.
OF Allen Craig (broken
right kneecap) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 8. He began
a rehab assignment with Class AAA Memphis on July 23, and he figures to return
after Aug. 1.
RHP Adam Wainwright
(Tommy John surgery in February 2011) went on the 60-day disabled list March 25.
He will miss the entire 2011 season.
NEXT
GAME
Sat.,
July 30 vs. CUBS: Kyle Lohse (8-7, 3.46) vs. Rodrigo Lopez (2-2, 3.49) 3:11 p.m.
CDT (Big FOX, KMOX
Radio and Cardinals Radio Network).
VIDEO FROM FOXSPORTSMIDWEST.COM
Tony TV: Cards' manager Tony La Russa talks about Friday's 9-2 win over Chicago and Albert Pujols' 2000th hit.
Albert Pujols and Edwin Jackson speak after Friday's win about Pujol's milestone and Jackson's pitching.