I’m a believer in giving credit where credit is due. Earlier today, pre-game, I received a text message from my very wise younger brother-in-law. He asked me what I thought the score of tonight’s game would be. Me, being the sports analyst that I am, said 4-2 Cards. For the first (and only) time in his whole life, he proved to be smarter than me. His prediction of the game score was just a wee bit off-7-3 Cards, but then he followed up that prediction with another text that read “Beltran or Holliday get a homer today.” That boy, he sure is smart. Thank goodness he’s had me to school him for the past few years.
Looking at today’s shellacking of the Pirates, it was all Cardinals from the third inning on. Before I talk about the crazy runs scored in the third, let’s rewind back to the second. Bottom of the second, Burnett facing Yadi, and Yadi singles. Jon Jay followed with a single, moving Yadi up to second. No outs, players at first and second, Freese comes up and hits into a fielder’s choice to get Jay out. Runners at the corners, one out, looking pretty good for our boys in red. Well, let’s just say that things don’t always go as planned and the Cards missed an opportunity to score. After some groans from the peanut gallery, we had to remember that it was only the second, and pray to the baseball gods that we wouldn’t miss another opportunity to get some padding up on the scoreboard.
Back to the bottom of the third, which started with Waino walking. Wow. First batter is the pitcher and Burnett walks him. Don’t get me wrong, Wainwright is one of the many reasons I am adamantly against the DH ever coming into effect in the National League. He’s a great hitter (for a pitcher), but walking the pitcher? This is playoff baseball, Pirates. Let’s be a little more competitive. Moving on, Carpenter hits a single, and there are runners on first and second with no outs and Beltran up. Going back to my bro-in-law’s text, I think, “no way”. Well, I was wrong. Beltran dongs a three-run dinger to solidify my brother’s wisdom. So, you think that’s it for scoring in the third, do ya? Nah, that was just a warm up (thanks to AJ Burnett). Next thing you know, Holliday hits a double, Adams gets hit by a pitch, and Molina walks; still no outs. I don’t know if Burnett was tired or what, but I’ve always thought he was pretty decent, not that one game should decide his talent, but with the bases loaded, he walks in a run giving Jon Jay an RBI. Freese comes up and singles in Yadi and Adams, then following a throwing error on the play, Jay scores. Cards up 7-0.
Wainwright pitched another great game, adding to his excellent performance for the season. Giving up only one run, with a homerun by Alvarez in the top of the 5th, he actually retired the first 11 batters he faced.
Tomorrow’s Friday, the boys play at noon. Lynn will take the hill for what will (hopefully) put the Cards up 2-0 before they head out to Pittsburgh’s hungry fan-base. For those of us working stiffs, we’ll do our best to follow the game. If you are lucky enough to attend the game, give a shout out to Yadi for me. Things can only get better from here….
Go Cards!
