Monday, June 14, 2010
Ryan Ludwick slammed a three-run homer in the first inning on his way to a season-high four-RBI performance to lead the Cardinals to a 9-3 victory over Seattle on Monday in the opener of a three-game inter-league series at Busch Stadium.
Starting pitcher Adam Wainwright settled down after a slow start to improve to 6-0 at home this season and 9-4 on the season.
Ryan Ludwick is greeted at home plate by Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday after his three-run homer in the first inning Monday night at Busch Stadium against the Mariners.
Albert Pujols is helped off the field after being hit in the helmet by a throw from third baseman Jose Lopez as Pujols tried to score in the fifth inning Monday night at Busch Stadium.
Matt Holliday slides in ahead of the tag on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Ludwick in the third inning Monday night at Busch Stadium.
Here is how the game broke down:
At the plate...
Ludwick, hitting out of the cleanup spot for only the second time this season, broke out of a 1-for-9 skid with a 2-for-4 effort. His three-run homer in the first was his fourth in the last seven games and helped erase a 2-0 deficit. He also added another RBI with a sacrifice fly in the third inning.
Colby Rasmus drilled a two-run homer in the fifth off reliever Ian Snell to push the lead to 8-2.... Albert Pujols went 3-for-3 with two walks and an RBI. He reached safely all five trips to the plate. He was hit on the back of the head on a throw home by Seattle third baseman Jose Lopez in the fifth inning but remained in the game.... Hitting second for the first time in his career, Matt Holliday was 2-for-4 and scored twice.
On the mound...
Wainwright gave up hits to three of the first five batters he faced before settling down and pitching into the eighth inning. He allowed three earned runs and six hits over seven innings, striking out six and walking one. Wainwright, in his 100th career start, bounced back from his worst outing of the season - a 4-3 loss at Los Angeles on June 9.... Wainwright gave up just three hits after the first-inning hiccup including a single to Michael Saunders and double to Ichiro Suzuki leading off the eighth... Wainwright's ninth victory puts him in a tie for second in the National League in wins with Mike Pelfrey of New York. Ubaldo Jimenez of Colorado tops the league with a 12-1 mark.... Suzuki hit Wainwright's second pitch over the wall in right and Milton Bradley doubled in Chone Figgins in the opening frame. Wainwright then retired the next five batters. Ironically, Wainwright had allowed just two first-inning runs in his 27 previous starts prior to giving up a two-run homer to Manny Ramirez in the loss in Los Angeles.... After the slow start Monday, Wainwright got serious allowing just one hit over the next 21 batters.... Wainwright has 21 successive quality starts at home, a major league record.
Key Stat...
Ludwick's 4 RBI effort helped shore up the Cardinals' poor production out of the cleanup spot. They entered the game last in the majors with just 24 RBI out of that spot in the batting order.. Their six HRs from the No. 4 hole ranked ahead of only the New York Mets and Baltmore, each with four.... Holliday failed to drive in a run in his previous 31 at-bats in the cleanup spot, prompting the change from manager Tony La Russa.
Of note...
St. Louis improved to 103-91 all-time in inter-league play. The contest was the first of 12 consecutive games against AL opponents. Ichiro has an 18-game interleague hitting streak - the longest current string in the majors. Jaime Garcia (6-2, 1.49), who will start Wednesday, has recorded the third-lowest ERA by a rookie through his first 12 starts since 1969. St. Louis is now 8-1 on Mondays this season.
From the manager...
"He's a tough guy, he's proven that over and over again." -- Tony La Russa talking about Albert Pujols' decision to stay in the game after he was hit in the helmet by a throw in the fifth inning.
Looking ahead ...
eff Suppan, who was signed as a free agent on Monday, will make his first appearance in a St. Louis uniform on Tuesday night since Game Four of the 2006 World Series. Suppan went 12-7 with a 4.12 ERA for the Cardinals in 2006. He signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007 and compiled a 29-36 record in 110 appearances before being released on June 6. Suppan will be opposed by left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith (0-5, 662 ERA). Smith returned to the Seattle starting rotation on June 5 after three relief appearances.
Comments
johnwvideo (anonymous) says...
I think the line up change is real good for now..I do mean for now.
I truly believe the pressure of the contract is effecting Holliday. There are SOME out there that totally disagree, and believe Matt was not worth signing. Well if not this year you will see, He will regain his form. I remember how A rod performed up here in NY the first year of his contract. The fans wanted him run out of town. Now look at him..
As for Suppan, I just dont know, that was a quick fix due to the rotation situation now. But if you follow Trade rumors.com there are many pitchers out there worth looking at that will be free at the right asking price.. even Lee is available.. And that is someone that would do just great in St.louis. Assuming they even want to rent a pitcher for the year. If not, this season looks like its been had. Unless they can really turn it around, and it is starting to look like they cant. In which case they better figure on young pitching next year. Its too bad they cant look like Tampa, with there young pitchers..
June 15, 2010 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bowler300 (anonymous) says...
Ludwig SHOULD be used in the fourth spot with Holiday batting second. Pujols third. I have always said this. Ludwig is the hitter they need in that spot. Pujols can only hit singles these days and Holiday chokes with runners in scoring postions. But, Larussa had to get his ego in there and bat the pitcher 8th. I wonder how long he will keep with this lineup. Also, read in the paper that LaGenious said the lineup don't matter as long as the hitters don't hit. I read this as a manager that does not know how to manage and is admitting it. So, I say get rid of LaRussa and get a cheaper manager. We ARE overpaying for a manager here in St. Louis. But, the Sheep fans of St. Louis will not admit they. They will keep drinking the Kool Aid. Go Ludwick. Trade Pujols and get something for him. He sure is not going to give his "Home discount". Believe me!
June 15, 2010 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bowler300 (anonymous) says...
I wonder if LaRussa will complain tonite about the Cardinals playing an easy team and the Reds playing a Tough team. How unfair the schedule is....like he did last year when the Cards played a tough team and second place team played easy team. Just wonder.
June 15, 2010 at 10:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )