On a night where runs were at a premium, the St. Louis Cardinals managed just two, but got a much-needed victory.
In the past two days, the other NL Central contenders, the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers, both made astronomical improvements to their starting rotations. The Cardinals remained idle in the trade game, but if the starting rotation is going to perform like this, there isn't much need for a shake-up.
Cards starter Joel Pineiro matched Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels out-for-out through four innings, before getting support from a Rick Ankiel solo shot.
Although he surrendered three walks in 6.1 innings, Pineiro allowed just five hits, which helped ease the damage. Outfielder Ryan Ludwick also went deep in the sixth inning off Hamels, to complete the scoring and send the Cardinals to a 2-0 road win.
- B/R Ticket Guide
While the Cardinals bats didn't adjust well to the East travel, the pitching was sensational, getting the first Cardinal shutout in a long time.
This win was particularly timely because the Cubbies and Brewers won, and with comeback starter Mark Mulder getting the ball tomorrow, there's a lot of uncertainty about the innings and pitches he can throw. The Cards picked up a win over one of the top lefties in baseball tonight, and that should certainly be commended.
Reliever Ron Villone, who had been struggling mightily as of late, was able to heal the wound that Pineiro created in the seventh inning, when he induced a double play to get out of the inning unscathed.
The often-reliable Kyle McClellan and Ryan Franklin tossed the final two innings, preserving the all-important W for the Birds.
With lackluster hitting from the middle of the lineup, the Cardinal arms were up for the task.
With Mulder making his first start tomorrow in almost a year, it should be a nice gauge for the Cardinals, especially against a youngster like J.A. Happ.
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