UCB Progressive Game Blog: Ninth Inning

When you look at the calendar and pick out a game to do for this type of project, you never know what kind of game you are going to get. A triumphant blowout for the good guys? A nail-biter into the ninth? None of the above?

At least the good part about bringing up the rear in a game like this is that there's not much to discuss.  Justin will be discussing/has discussed the eighth inning and the rest of the UCB has taken their cracks at their portions of the game. So it's time to take a look at the ninth of today's loss to the Cubs.

One of the good things about this team is that so often they've made a game of things in the ninth. No matter how dismal and dreary the offense has been during the game, they often seem to be able to get the tying or winning run to the plate in the end, even if they don't get them in. No game is ever quite a foregone conclusion.

Today, the Cardinals went down like they had a plane to catch, even though it was just the middle of the series.

The Cubs replace their multi-million dollar setup man, Carlos Zambrano, with Jeff Stevens, a rookie making his third appearance this year. As we know, the Cardinals often struggle against pitchers they've never seen before, and this game was no different.

Even though the team trailed 5-0, they were set up in the lineup to make some noise. The same players that jumped on Randy Wells for five runs in the first yesterday were up again in the ninth, starting with the new leadoff hitter, Felipe Lopez.

Lopez, however, is unable to get anything going, striking out looking. Next up is Ryan Ludwick, who keeps the futility working by grounding to third. With no one on and a five run lead, you'd think that Stevens would feel comfortable challenging Albert Pujols, but perhaps mindful of keeping the shutout intact, Pujols draws the walk.

It was noted earlier in the week, that Matt Holliday had only driven in Pujols twice this year. While that may be a bit outdated, the premise holds. People are tending to get on for Pujols, but when people do put AP on, Holliday is not making them pay, at least not as of yet. Today fits in with that, as he flies out to right to end the game.

After scoring five runs before one out was made in this series, the Cardinals are just a Ludwick home run shy of going 18 actual innings without a run. The offense that we thought was coming around after the getaway game in San Diego and the beginning of the series opener in Wrigley may still be as elusive as it has been most of the month.

Travis at Fredbird Follys has the wrapup of today's game and reminds us of one important, elemental truth: at least we still aren't the Cubs.