Cards Provide Fireworks, Wins Over Weekend

Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July weekend.  If you spent some of it watching the Cardinals, you weren't that disappointed.

Friday, the Cardinals rallied from three runs down for only the third time this season.  Of course, if you are going to load the bases for Albert Pujols, that makes it much easier for that to happen.  Pujols has just been astonishing with the bases loaded this year, as he set a record for career and single-season grand slams.  Just imagine what the Cardinal record book will look like when he's done with it!

It was also interesting to note that Pujols was the third-fastest to 350 homers, behind Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr.  Many people thought Griffey would eventually own the home run record until injuries got in the way.  If Pujols can stay healthy, it's possible he could put a run together toward it, and you know fans and baseball would love to see that.

Great performance out of Jarrett Hoffpauir to knock in the two go-ahead runs in the ninth.  Of course, Pujols had a hand in that as well, not only by his presence in the on-deck circle, but by giving Hoffpauir words of advice about Reds pitcher Daniel Herrera, telling him to basically look for the changeup, which he did.

Also nice to see Colby Rasmus heating up.  He didn't start in this game, but that's likely to become rarer and rarer as the season progresses.  He wound up two for two and in the midst of both scoring opportunities, something the Cards really need to have continue.

The Goat would have to be Josh Kinney.  Joel Pineiro had thrown a very solid game, allowing three runs (two earned) in seven innings.  The Cards take the lead, but Kinney comes in and promptly puts two on with nobody out.  Dennys Reyes and Jason Motte tried, but it's tough to come out of that situation unscathed.  At least it was just one run and it wound up not costing the team the game.

The Cards tried to do another three-run rally on Saturday, having two on with Pujols up in the seventh.  However, he is human, and a groundout to second ended the game for all intents and purposes.  That would have been a nice way to celebrate the Fourth, but the games aren't scripted, so we have to take what they give us.

Brad Thompson has reverted into the pitcher we thought he was, which means that all the talk about Todd Wellemeyer leaving the rotation when Kyle Lohse returns was probably premature and that John Mozeliak wouldn't be ill-served to be looking for a starter on the trade market.

Colby Rasmus was the Hero in this one, blasting a first-inning home run to give the Cardinals a brief lead, one that Thompson immediately gave back in the bottom of the inning.

Sunday, the Cards made up for no fireworks on the actual Fourth, plating 10 runs (their biggest offensive performance since June 21 against Kansas City) and breaking their longest drought between 6-run games.

Where to start with the Heroes?  Skip Schumaker had three hits and scored twice.  Yadier Molina had two hits and drove in two.  Colby Rasmus got the whole thing started with another first-inning homer, this time a two-run job.

Still, if he's on the mound and going right, the tag is usually going to go to Chris Carpenter.  Rasmus's two-run shot was all he needed, as he was dominant during the game.  He drove in a run, even, and made a nice play to end an inning after slipping to field the ball.  All-around, he was on his game and it's always a treat to see.

Tough to find a Goat, but Brendan Ryan only had one hit and no runs or RBI to show for it, so by default, he gets the tag.

The All-Star team was announced yesterday and the Cards have three that get to participate.  That's got to be like the best of both worlds for them--they get to go to the ASG, but also get to be home during the break.  Pujols is going, of course, and he set a NL record for most votes received.  Molina was voted in as well, and Ryan Franklin gets recognition for his outstanding work this year.

With players like Ryan Howard and Joey Votto on the roster as well, you have to wonder how long Pujols will play the game.  If the NL wants to win, though, they'll leave him in the whole time and let the other two pinch-hit.  I think we'll see Pujols hit a home run in the game.  At least we know they'll pitch to him--if they walk him in an All-Star Game, I think the idea of getting "protection" for him can go out the window.

Mark DeRosa's wrist is being reexamined, but apparently because it's doing well instead of poorly.  Sounds like he might be back sooner than expected, which is always good.

The last in the continuing series of special interviews tied to Bank of America and Mastercard happens tomorrow, as Mike from Stan Musial's Stance interviews Lou Brock.  You can tune in to Blog Talk Radio tomorrow at 3 Central to hear them chat.

Cards are off today before heading to Milwaukee in a battle of the top two teams in the division. I'm sure the rest will be appreciated!