Game #15

CARDINALS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 4

The NFL Draft slowed me down, but I can get away with not posting yesterday because of the off day.  So, Sam Bradford is the franchise QB.  I'm not going to pretend like I'm any expert like other nutty fans out there by saying this was the "right" pick or the "wrong" pick because I honestly don't know.  Why do people have to act like they know better than real NFL scouts and personnel?  It's sad.  I'm glad Bradford was drafted.  I hope it turns out that this was the right choice.

Now on to a team whose franchise isn't in jeopardy...

The Cardinals finished off their fifth straight series win to start the season.  This, believe it or not, is the first time the Cardinals have ever won the first five series of a season in their franchise history.  I was quite surprised by that fact.  

Chris Carpenter had en eventful night.  Carp, being the fierce competitor that he is, was the centerpiece of a bench clearing fiasco early on in the game.  The fuse was lit after Carpenter was hit on the left forearm by a pitch from Edwin Jackson.  Carpenter was barking at Jackson on his way to first base, and this is likely because Jackson hit Ryan Ludwick with a pitch in the first inning, possible retaliation for Ludwick hitting two home runs yesterday.  I honestly don't believe that's true, but I can't blame Carp for sticking up for himself and his teammates.  But it gets more heated.  After being put out at second on an inning-ending double play, Diamondbacks' shortstop Stephen Drew was apparently having some words with Carpenter, setting the Cardinals ace off and the benches cleared.

I love the competitive nature of Carpenter.  Don't get me the wrong way.  He's old school, alot like Bob Gibson.  But unfortunately, this isn't the '60s, and I just hope Carpenter doesn't take his flares too far where he risks getting ejected, especially if he has to pitch inside.  If Carpenter would have hit a batter after that episode, he more than likely would have been tossed, and that would not have been good.

Carpenter struck out ten and was in line for his third win of the season, but the bullpen blew that in the eighth inning. Trevor Miller just didn't do a good janitorial job.  But that won't lead me to knee jerk and say, "The bullpen SUCKS!"  Not my style.  But it is shaky, I will not deny that. 

A five run ninth gave the Cardinals an eventual victory, and Colby Rasmus started that ninth inning with his second home run of the game.  Rasmus is raking on the road so far.  He's hitting .423 with four homers and seven RBIs, an OBP of .571 and a slugging percentage over 1.000, all on the road.

Yeah, Colby belongs in that 5 spot.  Ludwick can stay at the 2 spot.  I don't care what the "experts" say.  So what if it isn't "conventional?"  It's working.  And that's all that matters.

Boxscore courtesy of mlb.com.