Game #4

CARDINALS 5, BREWERS 4

Did you have fun? It was quite the thriller!

Here's your boxscore.  (courtesy, this time, of ESPN.com.)

I have to admit, this was a pretty ugly game for the Cardinals offensively, going a dreadful 0-8 in situations with runners in scoring position.  I don't mean sound down after such an electrifying victory, but I can't help it.  The lack of hitting with runners in scoring position against Dave Bush was disappointing.  Of course, this was the Cardinals' downfall last year.  I'm not too worried about these problems returning, but it was eerie to watch tonight, I'm not going to lie.  This time, the long ball was able to bail the Cardinals out.

Nick Stavinoha, making his first at bat of the season, was the hero today.  Stavs prevented all time saves leader Trevor Hoffman from taking a step closer to that amazing 600 saves mark with a two out, go-ahead two run home run on a pitch down and away in which he was able to yank into left field into the stands.  What's that, TLR haters?  The Cardinals win in spite of Tony La Russa?  Yes, I know it was obviously not him hitting the home run, or keeping the Brewers from pulling away with stellar relief pitching, but Tony pushed all the right buttons today.  Stavinoha was one of those.  The others came from the bullpen, which was outstanding tonight and gave Cards' fans a glimmer of hope.

Blake Hawksworth made his season debut today and pitched a scoreless seventh inning.  Dennys Reyes continued his surprising dominance with a scoreless eighth.  I'm sure Cards' fans were holding their breaths when they saw Jason Motte warming up.  I do think it would have been a mistake for TLR to send him back out there with the team only down one, and, of course, following Motte's surrender of the walk-off home run yesterday in Cincinatti.  I think it would have been unfair to Motte if he had been run back out there so soon after yet another rough go.  I know he needs to regain his confidence, but tonight was not the night to do it.  Props to Hawksworth and Reyes.  Am I forgetting someone?

How could I forget?  This time, Ryan Franklin reminded us of a guy we saw dominate the ninth inning for most of the 2009 season.  Franklin took a gigantic stride today, preserving a one run lead with a pretty harmless inning in which he faced four batters.  Unlike his first save in Cincinatti, Franklin did not need flashy defensive plays to bail him out.  These balls were all hit weakly, and Franky looked superb.  This was a gigantic stride indeed.

It was a rough outing for Kyle Lohse tonight, but at least he was able to stick it out for six innings.  It could have been worse.  Jaime Garcia makes his debut tomorrow, and that should be a treat.  I'm anxious for that one.  Jaime is an intriguing talent, and the Cardinals can use a consistant southpaw in the rotation.  Mark Mulder in 2006 was really the last time they had that.

Until tomorrow, have a good night!