INSIDE PITCH
The Cardinals’ 4-0 loss Friday to
the San Diego Padres was the first time they had lost to San Diego in five games
this year, but they deserved it, manager Tony La Russa said. “We just got
outplayed,” said La Russa.
What pitcher Kyle Lohse probably
didn’t deserve was another injury. After experiencing two forearm flexor
problems in addition to leg and back maladies this season, Lohse strained a
strained groin while running hard to first after a fifth-inning base
hit.
La Russa estimated that Lohse not
only would miss a turn but might have to go on the disabled list for the second
time in his career—and the second time this season. “It would be shocking if
it’s not disabling,” La Russa said.
John Smoltz may be in the rotation
longer than anybody thinks and injured righty Todd Wellemeyer might make a
return to it when he comes off the disabled list in another week to 10 days.
Mitch Boggs, who was optioned to Class AAA Memphis when Smoltz was signed, also
may be brought back.
“I’ve never done anything like
this (hurt his groin) before,” said Lohse. “I’ve never felt this before. It’s
been one thing after another. (The season) has been trying,
frustrating.”
Lohse already was down 3-0 as a
result of serving up a three-run homer in the second inning to catcher Nick Hundley. Lohse, however, thought the ball “was coming out of my hand” as well as
it had all season and he seemed to be throwing harder and with more movement
than he had when his forearm was weak.
The Cardinals have won three of
five games on this seven-trip despite scoring 14 runs and hitting .178. “I’ve
been jumping at (the ball) lately,” said first baseman Albert Pujols, who was
nothing for 12 before getting a third-inning single. “I don’t know about anybody
else.”
Padres 4, Cardinals
0: LHP Clayton Richard and three
San Diego
relievers handed the Cardinals their eighth shutout loss of the season. The
Cardinals had been 9-1 against left-handed starters since acquiring LF Matt Holliday on July 24 but they mustered only five singles Friday and none in the
last four innings.
NOTES,
QUOTES
• One of the few Cardinals’
threats came to a screeching halt in the fourth. SS Brendan Ryan and 1B Albert
Pujols both singled and they were told to run on a 3-2 pitch to LF Matt
Holliday. But Ryan started and then stopped. While Pujols was sliding into
second, Ryan was retreating there and Pujols was ruled out when both were tagged
on the bag. Manager Tony La Russa said, “It was a ‘must run,’ (Ryan) has got to
go.”’ Said Ryan, who was glared at by Pujols afterward, “It’s on
me.”
• 1B Albert Pujols, 2B Julio Lugo
and RF Ryan Ludwick couldn’t track down San Diego C Nick Hundley’s foul fly with
two on and one out in the second inning. It proved costly as Hundley hit a
three-run homer a couple of pitches later.
• The Cardinals had won 12 of
their previous 13 games against San
Diego before Friday. But they couldn’t hit as the middle
of the lineup—the Nos. 3 through 6 hitters—was three for
14.
• The Cardinals’ victory Thursday
was No. 9,999 in their history. They will become the fourth major league club to
reach the 10,000 plateau. (Editor’s
note: The Cardinals officially do not recognize this mark. Details at The
Cardinal Nation blog.)
ROSTER
REPORT
• LHP Jaime Garcia, who came back
sooner than perhaps expected from “Tommy John” elbow surgery of last September,
was removed from the disabled list—he had been on a rehab assignment at Class A
Palm Beach—and was optioned to Class AAA Memphis.
• LHP Dennys Reyes and RHPs Blake Hawksworth and Brad Thompson held the Padres to one run over the last four
innings.
• RHP John Smoltz threw his first
bullpen session for the Cardinals. He will start Sunday in San Diego and again next week against Washington at home.
Smoltz said the fact the Cardinals had built such a big lead afforded them the
opportunity for him to make a couple of starts. He added, “I know I can compete
and get the job done. I’ve got all the pitches. I just need to repeat them a
little bit better than I did in Boston.”
Medical Watch:
RHP Todd Wellemeyer (right elbow
inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug.
5.
3B Troy Glaus (right shoulder
surgery in January 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March
27. He began a minor league rehab assignment July 11. He was shut down in late
July because of recurring back pain. He will start a new rehab assignment with
Class AAA Memphis on Aug. 15.
LHP Jaime Garcia (Tommy John elbow
surgery in September 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March
27. He began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League on July
23. He was removed from the disabled list on Aug. 21 and optioned to Class AAA
Memphis.