The Redbird Report 04/22

St. Louis Cardinals' Skip Schumaker hits a game-winning double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Monday, April 21, 2008, in Milwaukee. The Cardinals won 4-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Cardinals are a team with little speed, but they had some of it on display in the ninth inning Monday. Pinch hitter Brian Barton, on an ordinary single for most players, legged out a double on a hit to left-center, moved to third on a sacrifice and scored the winning run on left fielder Skip Schumaker's double.

Barton, a Rule V draft pick who hadn't played above Class AA, has been used sparingly by manager Tony La Russa. But La Russa sent him up against fire-balling Milwaukee right-hander Derrick Turnbow and Barton hit the first pitch he saw.

"He's got tremendous composure for a guy with so little experience," said La Russa. "He's shown that since spring training."

The Cardinals have beaten Milwaukee three times in four meetings this season after helping to deny the Brewers the National League Central Division title last year.

Adam Wainwright, who pitched seven strong innings without a decision, said, "Hopefully, they're going to feel we're going to be there down the stretch and we know that, too."

Jason Isringhausen gained his seventh save in eight opportunities after Ryan Franklin, the winning pitcher, prevented the go-ahead run from scoring from third with one out in the eighth.

CARDINALS 4, BREWERS 3: Right fielders Ryan Ludwick of the Cardinals and Corey Hart of Milwaukee misplayed balls hit by the other in the eighth inning as each team scored a run. Cardinals left fielder Skip Schumaker, hitless in four at-bats, hit the first pitch from Milwaukee righty Derrick Turnbow for a run-scoring double in the ninth to break a 3-3 tie.

NOTES AND QUOTES

--RHP Russ Springer, who has had a nerve problem in his right elbow, was activated from the 15-day disabled list and INF Rico Washington was optioned to Memphis. The Cardinals wanted to go with 13 pitchers for at least a day, since RHPs Brad Thompson and Anthony Reyes and LHP Ron Villone had pitched extensively in the two previous games.

--INF Brendan Ryan, rehabbing from a rib-cage injury, is likely to be brought up soon from Class AA Springfield.

--1B Albert Pujols singled in the first to reach base for the 20th consecutive game. Pujols also drew three walks, two of them intentional, and is on pace for 160 walks.

--3B Troy Glaus, homer-less in the club's 20 games, doubled in two runs in the third inning after having two doubles the day before. "He's starting to take better at-bats," said manager Tony La Russa. "He's a good guy to get started for us. Maybe he's on his way now." Said Glaus, "It's getting better."

--RHP Jason Isringhausen had a 1-2-3 ninth after not having pitched in five days.

--2B Adam Kennedy's hitting streak ended at six games, but he did deliver a sacrifice fly.

BY THE NUMBERS: 16 -- Number of hitting streaks of 10 games or longer in 1B Albert Pujols' career.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "No one is as hot as Ryan (Ludwick), but there's no one really struggling." -- Manager Tony La Russa on why the .400-hitting outfielder was not playing regularly.