St. Louis Cardinals: Falling Flat

You'd like to believe in momentum.  You'd like to think that after a stirring comeback on Tuesday night, the Cardinals could run off a good long winning streak, inspired by that rally.  You'd like to think that a team that was defeated in such a fashion wouldn't put up much of a fight.

Instead, the old saying was proven true again.  Momentum is tomorrow's starting pitcher.

Kyle Lohse has had an unbelievable tragedy in his life, losing a young cousin this week in a jet ski accident.  That said, once you take the mound, you've got to leave it behind.  I know Lohse tried to do that, tried to be an inspiration for the family, so you can't really blame his tough outing on a heavy heart.

Apparently the play at the plate with Jeff Francoeur left him a little wobbly and stiffened his neck up, but you can't allow a triple to the pitcher with runs on.  You just can't.  While this offense may be improved, rallying from a five run deficit is tough for any team.

A few other players worked their way into Goat contention.  Matt Holliday wasn't able to come through with the bases loaded and two outs--even a single there cuts it to 5-2 and maybe makes for a different game.  Brad Thompson allowed two runs within the first three batters he faced and was credited with another after Trever Miller allowed a home run to cap the scoring.

In fact, there wasn't just a whole lot positive out of yesterday's matinee.  Albert Pujols had two doubles, continuing his resurgence.  Joe Thurston had a couple of hits.  Blake Hawksworth again had a solid outing.  That was about the extent of it.

I know the game situation demanded a pinch-hitter (team down by 5, rested bullpen, day off tomorrow) but I would have liked to see Hawksworth go a few more innings.  It definitely would have been better than bringing Thompson into the game.

Cards get another day off today and so do the Cubs, so there will be no changes at the top of the division.  Cardinals are going to Pittsburgh this weekend while the Cubbies take on the Rockies in Coors.