INSIDE PITCH
The only good thing about Friday
night's rain-delayed 5-4 loss by the Cardinals to Milwaukee in 13 innings,
taking nearly seven hours on the clock, was that the Cardinals didn't lose any
ground in the wild-card race. They still lead Pittsburgh and Los
Angeles, which also lost, by 1 1/2 games for the second
wild-card spot.
In a game that lasted 4 hours 30
minutes after a 2 hour 20 minute delay in starting, the most noticeable at-bat
was Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun's in the 11th when he connected for his 38th
homer and 100th run batted in off Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn, who
suffered his second loss in relief after going 13-5 as a starter.
But one of the most important at-bats
in the game was that of rookie infielder Ryan Jackson, who was sent up to pinch
hit, actually sacrifice, with runners at first and second and nobody out in the
11th inning.
Jackson, instead of bunting toward rookie third
baseman Taylor Green, bunted to charging first baseman Corey Hart, who got the
forceout at third and the Cardinals, who were one for 12 with men in scoring
position, didn't score.
Right fielder Carlos Beltran's poor
night was a thread, too, as Beltran stranded eight runners in five fruitless
at-bats. Beltran is nothing for his last 13 and down to .261 after being one of
the hottest hitters in the league in the first half of the season.
Having been handicapped with hand and
knee ailments lately, Beltran hasn't been at top form.
"I'm not getting results like the way
I want do, but I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing -- coming in every day
and working the (batting) cage and trying to make it feel better," he
said.
"My time will come. I just don't know
when it will be."
Manager Mike Matheny said the missed
opportunities Friday was what "sticks out. We just couldn't come
through."
Catcher Yadier Molina, the Cardinals'
Most Valuable Player this season, showed why when he drilled a two-run,
game-tying homer in the eighth inning and moved to third on short wild pitch in
the 11th inning.
"Yadi was fantastic," said Matheny.
"He did everything you can do."
Right-hander Kyle Lohse gave up two
runs in 6 1/3 innings as his record remained at 14-2 for the third consecutive
tart. He pitched out of several spots, though, and Matheny said, "Kyle was much
better today. That was much more like him."
But the Cardinals' extra-inning game
turned out like many others this season. They are 3-10 in extra innings and have
been outscored, 19-6, in extra frames.
NOTES,
QUOTES
LF Matt Holliday, who was
to have returned to the lineup after missing a game because of lower back
tightness, was pulled from the starting lineup after Friday's game began 2 hours
20 minutes late because of rain. Holliday, who had been treated with massages
and acupuncture, bounced out as a pinch hitter in the
ninth.
RHP Chris Carpenter threw
a normal bullpen session and is slated to face hitters in a simulated game
Monday in San
Diego. Manager Mike Matheny repeatedly has shied away
from saying what Carpenter would have to do to move into the rotation although
general manager John Mozeliak said that if Carpenter got to 90 pitches, he would
be a candidate to start. "We're trying not to put an extra expectations on him,"
Matheny said.
RHP Edward Mujica
extended his scoreless innings streak to 17 games and 16 innings by getting two
outs in the seventh inning. But he allowed his first inherited runner to score
as a Cardinal when Milwaukee PH Travis Ishikawa doubled home the tying
run.
RHP Mitchell Boggs
allowed two key stolen bases, leading to two runs for Milwaukee in the eighth
inning. Boggs, who appeared to pay little attention to either runner, has
allowed six steals in six attempts this season.
C Yadier Molina tied his
single-season high for runs batted in at 65 on Friday, set last year when he hit
a two-run homer in the eighth inning.
By the
Numbers:
3-10 - Cardinals' record
in one-run games.
Quote to Note:
"I could haul my carcass
out there every day if they wanted me to, but I don't think that's what they
want to do."
- Gimpy 1B Lance Berkman.
MEDICAL
WATCH
LF Matt Holliday (tight
lower back) came out of the game Sept. 4 and didn't play Sept. 5. After the
team's day off Sept. 6, he was to have returned to the lineup Sept. 7, but was
pulled from the starting lineup after the game began 2 hours 20 minutes late
because of rain. He bounced out as a pinch hitter.
RHP Chris Carpenter
(right shoulder surgery) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March
26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 10. He threw for the first
time since March on June 13 and then threw another 40 pitches on June 15. He
threw to hitters for the first time June 22 but then had a setback June 25 when
he felt renewed weakness in the shoulder. He said it felt better the next day,
and he had an extensive throwing session off flat ground June 27. On June 28, he
was told he has thoracic outlet syndrome, which can cause, among its effects,
weakness in one's shoulder. A July 2 bullpen session was canceled. He underwent
what was believed to be season-ending surgery July 19 to relieve thoracic outlet
syndrome. He threw a normal bullpen session Sept. 7 and is slated to face
hitters in a simulated game Sept. 10 in San Diego.
RF Carlos Beltran (sore
left knee) didn't play Sept. 3 or 4 but was back in the lineup Sept.
5.
SS Rafael Furcal (torn
ligament in right elbow) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 31 and is
out for the season. He might need Tommy John surgery but first will get a PRP
(platelet-rich plasma) injection on Sept. 4 in the hopes of avoiding having to
go under the knife.
RHP Kyle McClellan (torn
labrum in right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list May 18 due to a
strained right elbow, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 30. He
threw on flat ground for the first time July 3, but he subsequently felt
shoulder pain. He had season-ending shoulder surgery July
10.
Link to boxscore: Milwaukee 5 at St. Louis 4 (13 innings)