Another Step Back

Not saying that you can really blame this one too much on Kyle Lohse.  Five innings isn't great, but the bullpen did fine, with Mitchell Boggs throwing a scoreless frame and Blake Hawksworth keeping them off the board for the last two.  Even four runs isn't a bad mark, compared to what Lohse has been putting out there.

If he could just finish off innings.  The game story notes that he's given up 12 runs in his last two starts, and all of them have come with two outs in an inning.  You'd think you'd be more focused, trying to get the ground ball or pop out that will get you out of a frame, but for whatever the reason, that's not happening.  We've noticed it some with other pitchers on the staff as well, though not to this extent.

No, this one can be put on the offense.  Chris Narveson has some talent, let's not undersell him, but the Cards have been able to beat him pretty regularly and put up some runs against him.  To only score two runs in a game like that, well, that pretty much sums up this year's squad.

Kudos to Colby Rasmus for his two hits, including an RBI and we'll tag Felipe Lopez as the goat for another hitless game at the top of the lineup.  Getting a leadoff man that can regularly get on base should be a priority for John Mozeliak in the offseason.

Cards called up Tyler Greene yesterday, putting him straight into the starting lineup (which did risk the ire of the Brendan Defenders, something that is dangerous to do).  We'll see how much time Greene gets down the stretch.  I think Lopez is probably on the outs and Greene may get to see some time at second and third, depending on the day.

Jaime Garcia goes tonight, looking for his fourteenth win and trying to keep his Rookie of the Year candidacy afloat.  The Baseball Bloggers Alliance will be doing their award voting come October and I'm really interested to see how Garcia does in that group, which will be possibly less swayed by preseason hype for players like Jason Heyward.

Closing notes.  Be sure to check out Erika's post over at i70baseball today.  She got to be a press photographer for a Omaha Royals series and she details her experiences in a wonderful fashion.  Really need to look at that one if you are a fan of the game.  Also, UCB Radio Hour is on again this evening, 9:30 Central.  Bill from i70baseball and Angela from Cardinal Diamond Diaries will be hosting, so be sure to tune in!