He had a solid 2008 posting a 3.54 ERA. He had already proved he could pitch well over the course of two seasons before this year started, which is why I roll my eyes at the myth. Now he has validated himself further. Coming out of Spring Training there was something wrong with Wandy and he admitted as much. He just needed time to turn it around. He also ended last year with an ERA over 3 last year(His final start pushed him back over).
Lineup for today... Bourn Kepp - Welcome back Pence Lee BLUM Johnson Wallace Castro Figgy I really don't like Blum or Kepp hitting 5th but its worked in the past so okay HOWEVER Blum playing short bothers me. Dude showed little to NO range at 2nd so how do you expect the guy to play SS when it appears he is not 100%??? You basically have 4 SS on the bench in Sanchez, Manzella, Hernandez and Downs but rather go with Blum??? This is one of the few complaints I have about Millsy, the guy is WAY to loyal to his veterans and if the excuse is he wants to give Blum some work, the guy just played Sunday?!?
So much for the scoreless streak. Holliday hits a 2r HR in the 1st off of Figgy. Also appears that Pence got nailed for the second consecutive game trying to stretch a single into a double.
Normally walking the pitcher to start an inning leads to a big frame but luckly Figgy got out of it. Watching on gamecast so not sure if there was a play at home or not?
Figgy looks to be another of Ed Wade's scrap heap success story. Dude isn't great but he looks like an excellent 5th starter/long man in the bullpen.
1 hit off Suppan through 4. I don't think either pitcher has pitched well. Figgy's command hasn't been there but he's been able to minimize the damage with some clutch play. Suppan is Suppan. He's walked 2 and hit a batter but we've yet to be able to get to him.
Wallace makes a nice diving play to stop a grounder to his right then throws it wide of the bag for an error, allowing the runner to get to 2nd. He had time to get him with an accurate throw. Pujols up. Edit: Pujols out... pops up again.
Castro has been excellent today at handling low pitches. Probably saved at least 1 run so far. Figgy's command has been shaky.
On a ball in play that Manzella maybe turns into out 3, Blum is only able to stop it from squeaking through the infield before it bounces away from him. That loaded the bases but fortunately, Figgy gets yet another clutch out.
Yes... Castro line drives one to deep left center for a 2B. Runners on 2nd and 3rd, no outs. Bogusevic pinch-hitting.
I was afraid that might happen, I didn't realize Downs couldn't play till Saturday but we still have 3 SS on our bench. Blum playing is okay but not SS right now.
Pujols with a heady play. Bogusevic hits it up the line and the Astros send Wallace home. Pujols sees it and gets Wallace on the FC. Bourn gets the sac fly though.
Hunter Pence, 3-run blast... Boom! Bogusevic stole his frist base and Kepp walked before Pence's HR. Was worried that we wouldn't do more with that inning after the promising start.
WOWOWOW....brings back memories of 2005, trying to put a nail in the Redbirds coffin!!! With Cueto going tonight vs Milwuakee, the Cards can't afford to lose this game already down 7 to the Reds and 4 to the Phillies.
At least he went to the ground this time to prevent it from getting to the outfield and scoring a run.
