A 3 games series against the Cubs. A series that we could have
swept, just as easily as we could have lost all 3. So I am somewhat
thankful to escape with at least 1 win against the boys from
Chi-Town.
The odd thing was that the games were remarkably similar. Let's have
a recap, shall we?
Game 1
- Cubs go up 3-0 within in the first 2 innings.
- Cardinals tie it 3-3, thanks to a 3 run shot by Albert.
- Cardinals go on to win the game in the bottom of the 9th thanks to small good old-fashioned small ball
- Final Score: 4-3 Cardinals
Game 2
- Cubs go up 4-1 within the first 2 innings.
- In the bottom of the 9th, Albert gets things going with a double and is followed by a Ryan Ludwick home run, which leaves them just shy of a game-tying run.
- Final Score: 4-3 Cubs
Game 3
- Cubs go up 3-0.
- Pujols gets things going with a run-scoring double, following a walk by Aaron Miles.
- In the bottom of the 9th, the Cards had 3 different runners on, but couldn't seal the deal.
- Final Score: 3-2 Cubs
In all 3 games...
1)...the Cubs started out with a 3 run lead.
2)...the Cardinals mounted a comeback; 1 of them successful, two of
them not.
3)...the Cardinals made the 9th inning worth watching.
4)...the difference one tiny run.
5)...Albert Pujols was the rallying point, either the
first to score an RBI or a run and in one game, both.
Pujols went 5 for 13 (.385 AVG), with two doubles, a home run, 4 RBI
& 2 runs. Not surprising. He's always hit well against Chicago.
If only we could get him a little help. Yeah, Ludwick hit that
dinger and Miles was scrappy as always, scratching out walks and
infield hits, but come on. A couple of doubles by ANYBODY and we
could have had these games. The injuries are not helping.
Glaus has this shoulder problem now, which really isn't a big deal
for this series. The Cubs have had his number all year, save the 2
home run game he had after going like 1 in 500. But we could really
use him the rest of the series.
Add to that Ankiel, Molina and a host of other guys bit by the injury
bug and it's really a wonder we're still in this thing. It makes you
wonder that even if we do make it to October, how healthy of a team
we could put on the field. We know we're practically useless in the
postseason without Carpenter on the team and now it looks like he
won't even be back in a bullpen role, as previously thought.
The one really bright spot of the series? (Besides Albert,
of course.) I can't believe I'm going to say it, but the pitching.
They really came through. They were far from perfect, but they kept
us in it the entire game. The starters and the relievers teamed up
to pitch some pretty good ball. They got out of countless jams:
bases loaded, runners on the corners, you name it.
Tuesdays Game
5 pitchers allowed 3 ER over 9 innings.
The Cubs left 8 on base.
Wesnesdays Game
5 pitchers allowed 3 ER over 9 innings.
The Cubs left 18 on base.
Thursdays Game
4 pitchers teamed up for 1 ER over 9 innings.
The Cubs left 9 on base.
The relief corps were especially impressive, with only 1 of those
runs being charged to a reliever.
Now what? Well, the Brewers fell to the Phils, so we keep pace
with them, but lose a game to the Phillies and the still streaking
Astros who crushed Pittsburgh 6-0 thanks to another outstanding
showing by Roy Oswalt. He went the distance in a shutout
performance, where he only allowed 3 hits.
Hopefully the Pittsburgh bats stay ice cold because we start our
next series against them tonight. And if we can't beat this last
place team, in the midst of a 6 game losing streak, then we don't
deserve to see October ball. We MUST take 2 of 3, if not a sweep or
I will declare it to be over for the Redbirds.
Moving on to Pittsburgh,
Tiffany
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