A Grand Day For Cardinal Fans

Chris Carpenter.  What can you say about that outing?  This is a guy that earlier in the year strained his oblique hitting.  A guy with 0 career home runs and six RBI before yesterday.  Personally, I've never thought he looked much like a hitter.  Sure, he had that double against the Cubs recently, but that's because Bobby Scales looked like he was on skates.

So watching the video highlights, it was interesting to see Carpenter in almost a McGwire-sque stance taking a good full swing at Kip Wells' first pitch.  I'm sure it helped that they were in Cincy, where the ball carries and the park's not that big, but that did go a couple of rows back.  Just shows that anyone can run into it, I guess.

The double later was impressive as well, going the other way and lining it into the corner, driving in two more.  To get both of those hits in the same day, especially in five innings, has to be high on the list of Things That You'd Think Never Happen, right along with Rush Limbaugh hosting a tribute to Barack Obama and Rick Ankiel returning to the pitcher's mound.

Also, it's probably the first time ever that Carp's offensive exploits overshadowed his pitching performance.  He was vintage Carpenter, even though he did need 90 pitches to get through five innings.  You have to figure he could afford to be creative with pitches with such a big lead, and it was good to see Tony LaRussa not extend him in a meaningless game that was in the bag.  Still, six strikeouts and no runs in five innings is a pretty good day at the office.

It was the bottom of the lineup doing the damage yesterday.  The first four hitters went three for ten, which isn't bad, but the last five (including Carpenter) were nine for 19 with 10 of the 13 runs scored.  Good day for Rick Ankiel especially, who had two hits and scored three runs, even drawing a walk.  It seems like that meeting earlier in the week is paying some dividends for those involved.

Tough to find a Goat in a 13-0 game.  Obviously, most everyone contributed, but it comes down to Albert Pujols, who drew two walks, and Colby Rasmus, who had a hit and a run but struck out twice.  Rasmus gets the nod mainly because AP didn't play the whole game and was even a late addition to the lineup due to flu-like symptoms that he promptly told to go away and so was better.  Pujols can do that, you know.  As someone said on the Fox Sports Midwest live blog, the umpire that was hit with the ball and left the game would be fine, because Pujols came over and touched him!

If it wasn't for the fact that the Buddy Walk was this weekend, I'd write off Albert getting to 50 homers this year.  He's been stuck at 47 since September 9 and only has three games left.  But his annual Buddy Walk, when the Down's Syndrome kids are at the park, always brings out the best in him.  I still don't think he'll hit 50, but his final won't be 47 either.

Troy Glaus also had a good game yesterday, giving him hope that he'll make the postseason roster.  I expect to see LaRussa start Glaus at third at least one of the last three games, and if he's solid then as well, he very well may be playing in October.  I wouldn't have thought it just a few days ago and I'm still not completely sold on it happening, but the odds are better now.  If he's right, he'll really help the bench in the playoffs.  Of course, if he goes, I don't think David Freese gets a shot.  That'll be something interesting to watch this weekend.

The Reds didn't care much for the allegations being tossed around by the Cardinals in regard to unrubbed baseballs and pine tar.  Just something to keep in mind since the 2010 season starts in Cincinnati.

The Cards get to continue their string of lasts for the regular season as they tee up the last series of the season.  Adam Wainwright gets one last chance to win #20 against the Brewers.  He's done OK against them in the past, though Ryan Braun has touched him for two homers.  Wainwright has dominated Milwaukee this year, though, posting a minuscule 0.59 ERA and a 3-1 record in four starts.  If the offense shows up at all, Waino should get to the 20-win mark, which might be enough for him to win the Cy Young.

Former Card Braden Looper heads to the rubber tonight for his final start.  Looper has been middling against the Cards this year, posting a 3.75 ERA in his 12 innings against the club.  Historically, though, he's been pretty tough on the Redbird hitters.  If that keeps up again tonight, some of the euphoria from yesterday's offensive outburst is going to quickly drain off.