Kennedy and Pujols knock in two runs apieceST. LOUIS -- All eyes were focused on St. Louis Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen on Sunday night.
The Cardinals had a sellout crowd of 44,969 at Busch Stadium, a national television audience on ESPN and a two-run lead to turn over to their veteran closer in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Two nights after giving up a game-tying home run in the ninth, Isringhausen retired the Chicago Cubs in order on 12 pitches to secure a 5-3 victory, the Cardinals' sixth win in its nine-game homestand. With it, the Cardinals retain their hold on the top spot in the National League Central standings and get to 20 wins earlier, by date, than any other team in franchise history.
"To come in there and get three outs, that tells you all you need to know about Jason Isringhausen," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "That's why he's our closer. He's a really, really tough guy."
After 48 hours of introspection, the 35-year-old right-hander took the ball in the ninth with a new trimmed haircut and a simple approach.
"What I tried to do tonight was let it all loose and pound the strike zone," Isringhausen said.
In earning his 10th save of the season, and 291st of his career, Isringhausen did just that. Of his 12 pitches -- which included four-seam fastballs, sinkers, cutters and curveballs -- nine were strikes.
"He was good," Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina said. "He was throwing the fastball a lot. That's his main pitch. If he keeps that fastball down, they're going to hit it on the ground and they're going to get a lot of outs."
The Cubs scored twice in the second inning off Cardinals starter Todd Wellemeyer. Catcher Geovany Soto doubled and scored on center fielder Reed Johnson's double to left. Second baseman Mike Fontenot, who had walked, scored on left fielder Alfonso Soriano's sacrifice fly.
The Cardinals answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning with four consecutive hits off Cubs right-hander Jason Marquis.
After Wellemeyer and shortstop Cesar Izturis had one-out singles, right fielder Skip Schumaker and second baseman Adam Kennedy followed with back-to-back RBI singles to tie the score.
The Cardinals took a 4-2 lead in the fourth when first baseman Albert Pujols smacked a two-run double down the left-field line to score Izturis and Kennedy.
Wellemeyer (3-1) tossed five innings. He allowed two runs on three hits, struck out four and walked four. He threw 95 pitches, with 57 for strikes.
"I felt decent all day," Wellemeyer said. "Mentally, I was in it the whole time. I kept the ball low and that was important."
The Cubs loaded the bases with nobody out in the seventh off rookie reliever Kyle McClellan, but they only scored one run on a sacrifice fly by right fielder Kosuke Fukudome to make it 5-3. Lefty specialist Randy Flores came in to retire Fukudome, and then right-hander Ryan Franklin got the final out of the inning.
"I had faith in the bullpen," Wellemeyer said.
Franklin pitched a scoreless eighth inning before giving way to Isringhausen in the ninth. McClellan, Flores, Franklin and Isringhausen combined to allow just one run on two hits over the final four innings.
All eyes were focused on Isringhausen, and he came through.
"Izzy's one of the best closers right now in the game," Pujols said. "You're gonna blow some games and you're going to save big games. To us, our job is to go out there and give him a chance every night hopefully so he can save the game. He's human. He's not a machine, so he's going to blow some games. If you look at the great closers of the past, they blow a lot of games and they save a lot of games. ... Nine out of 10 times when he goes out there he's going to save the game, so I take my chances any time with him."
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Struggling Reliever Demoted to Minors
ST. LOUIS (AP) -Anthony Reyes was demoted to the minor leagues by the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday after sputtering in a relief role with a 5.27 ERA.
The 26-year-old Reyes, once considered the team's top pitching prospect, will be a starter for Triple-A Memphis. But manager Tony La Russa believes the infrequency of Reyes' outings has more to do with his struggles than comfort level or a lack of enthusiasm for the bullpen life.
"He took to it fine, he just hasn't pitched enough to where we've been able to keep him really sharp," La Russa said. "I think it's good for him to go down and work regularly."
A secondary reason for the move was uncertainty surrounding Joel Pineiro, who's scheduled to start on Monday at Colorado. Pineiro reported back stiffness since his last outing.
Right-hander Mike Parisi, 25, who was recalled from Memphis and in uniform Sunday night for the final game of a three-game series against the Cubs, would be the backup option for that start if Pineiro can't go. Parisi was the opening-day starter for Memphis and is 2-1 with a 4.41 ERA after elevating his standing with a strong spring training.
Not much has gone right for Reyes since he beat the Tigers in the 2006 World Series opener. He was 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA last year and lost out for rotation spot in spring training after making five starts in Florida, opening the year as a long man in the bullpen.
Reyes has been a starter throughout his career, making two relief appearances last season and three in 2006 when he first came up. He has a 1-1 record and allowed in three straight outings, surrendering six runs on 10 hits in seven innings, before working two scoreless innings on Saturday.
Reyes made three appearances in the last 11 days, totaling four innings.
La Russa said Reyes, who had already left for Memphis, didn't have much to say when told he was going back to the minors.
"He certainly wasn't happy," La Russa said. "He shouldn't be happy. Not much you can say when it comes down to it."
Parisi struggled in his last start on April 29, giving up seven runs on 10 hits in four innings. He had been scheduled to start in a doubleheader for Memphis on Sunday, and was surprised to get the news last night.
He also impressed the team enough that they used him in two simulated starts while getting Kyle Lohse up to speed after signing a free-agent deal in mid-March, then used him in two regular spring games.
"I've had some good starts," Parisi said. "My last one wasn't too good, but overall I'm happy."
The 26-year-old Reyes, once considered the team's top pitching prospect, will be a starter for Triple-A Memphis. But manager Tony La Russa believes the infrequency of Reyes' outings has more to do with his struggles than comfort level or a lack of enthusiasm for the bullpen life.
"He took to it fine, he just hasn't pitched enough to where we've been able to keep him really sharp," La Russa said. "I think it's good for him to go down and work regularly."
A secondary reason for the move was uncertainty surrounding Joel Pineiro, who's scheduled to start on Monday at Colorado. Pineiro reported back stiffness since his last outing.
Right-hander Mike Parisi, 25, who was recalled from Memphis and in uniform Sunday night for the final game of a three-game series against the Cubs, would be the backup option for that start if Pineiro can't go. Parisi was the opening-day starter for Memphis and is 2-1 with a 4.41 ERA after elevating his standing with a strong spring training.
Not much has gone right for Reyes since he beat the Tigers in the 2006 World Series opener. He was 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA last year and lost out for rotation spot in spring training after making five starts in Florida, opening the year as a long man in the bullpen.
Reyes has been a starter throughout his career, making two relief appearances last season and three in 2006 when he first came up. He has a 1-1 record and allowed in three straight outings, surrendering six runs on 10 hits in seven innings, before working two scoreless innings on Saturday.
Reyes made three appearances in the last 11 days, totaling four innings.
La Russa said Reyes, who had already left for Memphis, didn't have much to say when told he was going back to the minors.
"He certainly wasn't happy," La Russa said. "He shouldn't be happy. Not much you can say when it comes down to it."
Parisi struggled in his last start on April 29, giving up seven runs on 10 hits in four innings. He had been scheduled to start in a doubleheader for Memphis on Sunday, and was surprised to get the news last night.
He also impressed the team enough that they used him in two simulated starts while getting Kyle Lohse up to speed after signing a free-agent deal in mid-March, then used him in two regular spring games.
"I've had some good starts," Parisi said. "My last one wasn't too good, but overall I'm happy."
Izzy upbeat
Closer Jason Isringhausen arrived at Busch Stadium Saturday with a fresh haircut and an upbeat attitude.
Isringhausen sought a buzz cut after fumbling a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning of Friday’s 11-inning 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs, which raised fresh questions about his physical fitness.
"I’ve never worn my hair longer until this year," Isringhausen said. "No more — a clean start."
Manager Tony La Russa and Isringhausen took turns insisting the righthander was available to close Saturday after being lifted following his 26th pitch the night before.
"It’s not a physical thing," insisted Isringhausen, less than two years removed from surgery on his arthritic left hip. "I just need to get out of this funk I get in and go out there and pitch the way I know how. I need to start pitching to halves of the plate instead of picking at corners. That’s what got me in trouble against Soriano (Friday) night."
Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano’s two-run crank left Isringhausen his third blown save in 12 opportunities. Isringhausen dropped only two of 34 chances in 2007 but has faltered after appearing 12 times in the Cardinals’ first 24 games this season. After publicly contemplating trashing his signature cut fastball against righthanded hitters Friday night, Isringhausen said Saturday he would instead concentrate on sharpening it between appearances.
"He’s like a hitter in slump," La Russa said. "It happens over a few days. You go back to basics. It happens to hitters; it happens to pitchers. Physically he’s fine."
THE STREAK LIVES
First baseman Albert Pujols extended his seasonlong streak of reaching base to 31 games Saturday when he hit his sixth home run off Cubs starter Ted Lilly in the sixth inning. Pujols reached base in the first 33 games of the 2005 season. That was the Cardinals’ best season-opening streak, dating to 1956. Pujols failed to walk Saturday for the first time in nine games. He accepted 12 walks without a strikeout during the span. Pujols coincidentally struck out Saturday for the first time in 10 games since April 22. Pujols leads both leagues in walks with 32 and has struck out eight times in 103 at-bats.
RAMIREZ BRUISED
Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez had a considerable bruise on his left forearm, right above his wrist, from the fastball that hit him Friday night. Ramirez was not available for Saturday’s game, though the Cubs hope the third baseman can return Sunday night. General manager Jim Hendry said X-rays showed no fracture, though Ramirez had difficulty gripping a bat.
To cover Ramirez’s position, the Cubs shifted utility man Mark DeRosa to third and started Mike Fontenot at second.
SETUP SUPREME
Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol continued his late-inning dominance with two hitless innings of relief. Marmol struck out Albert Pujols in the eighth, the righthander’s 28th strikeout this season in 21 innings. "He was throwing in the shadows (around home plate Saturday) at 95 mph," outfielder Ryan Ludwick said. "Looks like 98 mph." The 25-year-old has a 1.29 ERA and is among the league leaders in holds. The Cubs are content to keep him at setup and stick with Kerry Wood as a closer.
Wood has four saves but also recently had his third blown save of the season, prompting Cubs manager Lou Piniella to assert: "I have confidence in Kerry. Look, Kerry’s our closer. That’s the end of the story."
FUKUDOME CLEANS UP
Batting for the first time at cleanup for the Cubs, Kosuke Fukudome doubled twice and went three for five with a couple of RBIs. Fukudome came into Saturday’s game with a .204 average on the road after an 0 for five Friday. But now he’s six for his last 22 on the road.
Isringhausen sought a buzz cut after fumbling a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning of Friday’s 11-inning 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs, which raised fresh questions about his physical fitness.
"I’ve never worn my hair longer until this year," Isringhausen said. "No more — a clean start."
Manager Tony La Russa and Isringhausen took turns insisting the righthander was available to close Saturday after being lifted following his 26th pitch the night before.
"It’s not a physical thing," insisted Isringhausen, less than two years removed from surgery on his arthritic left hip. "I just need to get out of this funk I get in and go out there and pitch the way I know how. I need to start pitching to halves of the plate instead of picking at corners. That’s what got me in trouble against Soriano (Friday) night."
Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano’s two-run crank left Isringhausen his third blown save in 12 opportunities. Isringhausen dropped only two of 34 chances in 2007 but has faltered after appearing 12 times in the Cardinals’ first 24 games this season. After publicly contemplating trashing his signature cut fastball against righthanded hitters Friday night, Isringhausen said Saturday he would instead concentrate on sharpening it between appearances.
"He’s like a hitter in slump," La Russa said. "It happens over a few days. You go back to basics. It happens to hitters; it happens to pitchers. Physically he’s fine."
THE STREAK LIVES
First baseman Albert Pujols extended his seasonlong streak of reaching base to 31 games Saturday when he hit his sixth home run off Cubs starter Ted Lilly in the sixth inning. Pujols reached base in the first 33 games of the 2005 season. That was the Cardinals’ best season-opening streak, dating to 1956. Pujols failed to walk Saturday for the first time in nine games. He accepted 12 walks without a strikeout during the span. Pujols coincidentally struck out Saturday for the first time in 10 games since April 22. Pujols leads both leagues in walks with 32 and has struck out eight times in 103 at-bats.
RAMIREZ BRUISED
Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez had a considerable bruise on his left forearm, right above his wrist, from the fastball that hit him Friday night. Ramirez was not available for Saturday’s game, though the Cubs hope the third baseman can return Sunday night. General manager Jim Hendry said X-rays showed no fracture, though Ramirez had difficulty gripping a bat.
To cover Ramirez’s position, the Cubs shifted utility man Mark DeRosa to third and started Mike Fontenot at second.
SETUP SUPREME
Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol continued his late-inning dominance with two hitless innings of relief. Marmol struck out Albert Pujols in the eighth, the righthander’s 28th strikeout this season in 21 innings. "He was throwing in the shadows (around home plate Saturday) at 95 mph," outfielder Ryan Ludwick said. "Looks like 98 mph." The 25-year-old has a 1.29 ERA and is among the league leaders in holds. The Cubs are content to keep him at setup and stick with Kerry Wood as a closer.
Wood has four saves but also recently had his third blown save of the season, prompting Cubs manager Lou Piniella to assert: "I have confidence in Kerry. Look, Kerry’s our closer. That’s the end of the story."
FUKUDOME CLEANS UP
Batting for the first time at cleanup for the Cubs, Kosuke Fukudome doubled twice and went three for five with a couple of RBIs. Fukudome came into Saturday’s game with a .204 average on the road after an 0 for five Friday. But now he’s six for his last 22 on the road.
Mulder's return is still hazy
Mark Mulder said Friday afternoon that he envisions no problem exiting the disabled list when his 30-day rehab assignment expires May 14.
The Cardinals may privately disagree.
Mulder's return from rotator cuff surgery in September became one of the most-asked questions in spring training and early April. Now, with an overachieving rotation offering the most positive surprise of the Cardinals' record-setting start, a black-and-white issue takes on several shades of gray.
Manager Tony La Russa insisted earlier this season that the team's best five starters would man the rotation.
Question: Which of the current five should go to make room for a $6.5 million arm whose last win came on June 15, 2006, two surgeries ago?
At least temporarily complicating the matter is Mulder's abortive 11-out outing Wednesday against Salt Lake City. General manager John Mozeliak described it as a "step back" and plans to attend Mulder's start Monday at AutoZone Park in Memphis.
The good news was that Mulder reported no soreness or problems repeating his delivery. "I don't foresee that (returning) would be a problem," he said. "But we've got to wait and see how things go and see how I feel. That's obviously my goal. I don't want to go on any longer than that."
The bad news was the Los Angeles Angels' Class AAA affiliate mauling him for three home runs (one by former Jeff Weaver trade bait Terry Evans) and nine runs (seven earned).
Mulder likened the start to a spring training clunker, a fair characterization for someone who began his rehab assignment April 15, seven months after having his rotator cuff shaved. However, the context is different when altering an alignment that rates as one of the early season's most positive surprises.
The odd man out is likely to be either Todd Wellemeyer or Braden Looper. Both love starting after converting to the role last season.
"Sure, it's on my mind," Wellemeyer said. "I can't really think that much about it. All I can do is play the game. But to not think about it is impossible. You have to acknowledge the fact that you can't control your mind. That's different than worrying about it. You have to shut that down."
Looper, originally signed in December 2005 as closer insurance for Jason Isringhausen, feels an even stronger sense of ownership after converting before last season. Looper is 16-12 in the role and, perhaps just as important, in the final season of a three-year, $13.5 million contract.
"It's had a big impact on my career. It's what I want to do," said Looper, whose first 572 major-league appearances came in relief. "I don't know how much time I have left in my career — five years, four or three. I don't know what that is. But I plan on starting. I feel that strongly about it."
The Cardinals must activate Mulder from the disabled list when his rehab assignment expires, shut him down or reassign him to extended spring. La Russa has suggested Mulder could require "10 starts," five more than the assignment can accommodate.
"I haven't really thought about it that much. I don't consider it an issue or a decision because it's not in front of us at this moment," pitching coach Dave Duncan said after Looper improved to 4-1 Wednesday with a win over the Cincinnati Reds. "It's something you deal with when it presents itself. It's not at that stage right now, and standing here I can't honestly say how close it is to reaching that stage."
Mozeliak's trip to Memphis may lend clarity to what remains a vague situation. Do the Cardinals project a pitcher who gave them 16 wins and a 3.64 ERA in 2005 or a compromised arm defenseless for much of the last two seasons?
Said Duncan: "I don't know how close Mulder is to being ready, number one. And I don't know what the health of our starting staff will be at that time."
While La Russa and Duncan can deflect the issue for the time being, those potentially affected are handicapping the field.
"It would definitely be difficult. All five of us are throwing well right now. To lose your spot under those circumstances would be tough for anyone," Wellemeyer said.
Acquired as a waiver claim from the Kansas City Royals last May 15, Wellemeyer became Duncan's pet project. He has evolved from a bottom-feeder's castoff to a factor for a surprising division leader. The Cardinals are 12-5 in his 17 starts since he changed roles. Wellemeyer also ranks as the staff leader in strikeouts with 36 in 37 innings.
Looper carries a 4.77 ERA the last two seasons with 21 quality starts in 36 outings. This season's 3.86 ERA is skewed by a six-run third inning in his lone loss April 20 against the San Francisco Giants.
"I'd by lying if I said it's never crossed my mind. But as long as I can maintain my focus on what I have to do on the day of my start, whether I'm doing it here or somewhere else — then whatever happens, happens," Looper said. "We can't control it anyway. All we can do is pitch our game. As I've said all along, I want to start and I want to start here. If I have to go someplace else, I will. But this is where I want to be. I enjoy what I'm doing. I feel like I'm competing better. I feel like I'm improving."
Said La Russa: "Right now, there are five guys out there who can make a claim. Braden can based on this year, based on last year."
La Russa sells the debate as a challenge to his pitchers rather than justification for role insecurity.
"I just don't think that it's productive where a player or a pitcher says 'I can't do my best because of this kind of uncertainty. I need to be in there every day. I need to know I'm the closer, the eighth-inning guy or a starter.' That's a tip-off that's not somebody you can count on," the manager said. "The pressure is there right now. The more you meet it, the more it's your friend."
The Cardinals may privately disagree.
Mulder's return from rotator cuff surgery in September became one of the most-asked questions in spring training and early April. Now, with an overachieving rotation offering the most positive surprise of the Cardinals' record-setting start, a black-and-white issue takes on several shades of gray.
Manager Tony La Russa insisted earlier this season that the team's best five starters would man the rotation.
Question: Which of the current five should go to make room for a $6.5 million arm whose last win came on June 15, 2006, two surgeries ago?
At least temporarily complicating the matter is Mulder's abortive 11-out outing Wednesday against Salt Lake City. General manager John Mozeliak described it as a "step back" and plans to attend Mulder's start Monday at AutoZone Park in Memphis.
The good news was that Mulder reported no soreness or problems repeating his delivery. "I don't foresee that (returning) would be a problem," he said. "But we've got to wait and see how things go and see how I feel. That's obviously my goal. I don't want to go on any longer than that."
The bad news was the Los Angeles Angels' Class AAA affiliate mauling him for three home runs (one by former Jeff Weaver trade bait Terry Evans) and nine runs (seven earned).
Mulder likened the start to a spring training clunker, a fair characterization for someone who began his rehab assignment April 15, seven months after having his rotator cuff shaved. However, the context is different when altering an alignment that rates as one of the early season's most positive surprises.
The odd man out is likely to be either Todd Wellemeyer or Braden Looper. Both love starting after converting to the role last season.
"Sure, it's on my mind," Wellemeyer said. "I can't really think that much about it. All I can do is play the game. But to not think about it is impossible. You have to acknowledge the fact that you can't control your mind. That's different than worrying about it. You have to shut that down."
Looper, originally signed in December 2005 as closer insurance for Jason Isringhausen, feels an even stronger sense of ownership after converting before last season. Looper is 16-12 in the role and, perhaps just as important, in the final season of a three-year, $13.5 million contract.
"It's had a big impact on my career. It's what I want to do," said Looper, whose first 572 major-league appearances came in relief. "I don't know how much time I have left in my career — five years, four or three. I don't know what that is. But I plan on starting. I feel that strongly about it."
The Cardinals must activate Mulder from the disabled list when his rehab assignment expires, shut him down or reassign him to extended spring. La Russa has suggested Mulder could require "10 starts," five more than the assignment can accommodate.
"I haven't really thought about it that much. I don't consider it an issue or a decision because it's not in front of us at this moment," pitching coach Dave Duncan said after Looper improved to 4-1 Wednesday with a win over the Cincinnati Reds. "It's something you deal with when it presents itself. It's not at that stage right now, and standing here I can't honestly say how close it is to reaching that stage."
Mozeliak's trip to Memphis may lend clarity to what remains a vague situation. Do the Cardinals project a pitcher who gave them 16 wins and a 3.64 ERA in 2005 or a compromised arm defenseless for much of the last two seasons?
Said Duncan: "I don't know how close Mulder is to being ready, number one. And I don't know what the health of our starting staff will be at that time."
While La Russa and Duncan can deflect the issue for the time being, those potentially affected are handicapping the field.
"It would definitely be difficult. All five of us are throwing well right now. To lose your spot under those circumstances would be tough for anyone," Wellemeyer said.
Acquired as a waiver claim from the Kansas City Royals last May 15, Wellemeyer became Duncan's pet project. He has evolved from a bottom-feeder's castoff to a factor for a surprising division leader. The Cardinals are 12-5 in his 17 starts since he changed roles. Wellemeyer also ranks as the staff leader in strikeouts with 36 in 37 innings.
Looper carries a 4.77 ERA the last two seasons with 21 quality starts in 36 outings. This season's 3.86 ERA is skewed by a six-run third inning in his lone loss April 20 against the San Francisco Giants.
"I'd by lying if I said it's never crossed my mind. But as long as I can maintain my focus on what I have to do on the day of my start, whether I'm doing it here or somewhere else — then whatever happens, happens," Looper said. "We can't control it anyway. All we can do is pitch our game. As I've said all along, I want to start and I want to start here. If I have to go someplace else, I will. But this is where I want to be. I enjoy what I'm doing. I feel like I'm competing better. I feel like I'm improving."
Said La Russa: "Right now, there are five guys out there who can make a claim. Braden can based on this year, based on last year."
La Russa sells the debate as a challenge to his pitchers rather than justification for role insecurity.
"I just don't think that it's productive where a player or a pitcher says 'I can't do my best because of this kind of uncertainty. I need to be in there every day. I need to know I'm the closer, the eighth-inning guy or a starter.' That's a tip-off that's not somebody you can count on," the manager said. "The pressure is there right now. The more you meet it, the more it's your friend."
Lohse loses grip
Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse looks toward the scoreboard as he walks off the field after giving up six runs to the Cubs in the fourth inning during Saturday's 9-3 loss at Busch Stadium.
Last year's rule resurfaced Saturday as this season's exception. An out-of-control inning left the Cardinals and their starting pitcher out of position to deal with the Chicago Cubs.
For three innings, Kyle Lohse was good enough to tease with what one teammate described as no-hit stuff. The fourth became a frustrating maze made up of six runs and six hits, including three for extra bases, that allowed the Cubs to even the teams' three-game weekend series with a 9-3 decision.
A record Busch Stadium crowd of 46,792 and a national television audience saw the Cubs pound the Cardinals for 12 hits worth 21 total bases while receiving seven walks, including one with the bases loaded. The Cubs took 15 at-bats with runners in scoring position compared with the Redbirds' five against lefthander Ted Lilly (2-4) and closer-in-waiting Carlos Marmol.
"It was one inning where it got out of whack," said Lohse, who allowed eight earned runs in six innings, the most earned runs he had allowed in 25 starts dating to last June 23.
The outing hiked the team ERA from a league-best 3.37 to 3.55. Lohse saw his personal number spike from 2.36 to 3.79 and suffered his first loss in seven starts with the Cardinals.
This was throwback stuff. A year ago the Cardinals allowed double-digit runs 21 times. Saturday matched a season high for runs allowed, though they managed to hold an opponent under 10 runs for the 31st time this season.
The Cubs' bounce from Friday night's 5-3 Cardinals win returned them to within a half-game of the division lead. The Cardinals lost for only the third time in nine games and surrendered more than six runs for only the sixth time.
"It ain't a lot of fun," manager Tony La Russa quipped about the flashback.
The current rotation enjoys a 14-5 record, as many wins as last year's rotation had through May 30. Three starters have an ERA below 4.00.
Lohse (3-1) had won seven straight decisions spanning times with the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Cardinals. He faced the minimum nine hitters through three innings before shortstop Ryan Theriot began the game-changing rally with a one-out single in the fourth.
First baseman Derrek Lee's hit-and-run single put runners at the corners before right fielder Kosuke Fukudome pull-hooked a two-strike cut fastball for a double to score Theriot with the game's first run.
A walk loaded the bases before rookie catcher Geovany Soto bounced a ground-rule double over center fielder Rick Ankiel for a 3-0 lead.
"I know the pitch he made to Lee on 3-2 was a little blooper. He had it 0-2 on the right fielder and the pitch had too much plate. A good hitter made him pay," La Russa said. Fukudome finished with three hits.
Theriot's former LSU teammate, second baseman Mike Fontenot, became the first hitter to reach Lohse for a home run in 37 2/3 innings this season. Fontenot's three-run shot put the Cubs up 6-0, a reversal of form for a Cardinals team that had outscored opponents 86-51 through five innings this season.
"You can always feel it starting to build like that," Fontenot said. "The guy in front of you gets the big hit. There are runners on base. You're biting at it, at a chance to get up there and hit, because you know you have the opportunity to do a lot of damage."
"It started when he missed on the right fielder. He missed two or three more times. The damage got worse," said La Russa, who noted Lohse's search for a put-away pitch in the inning. "He just made some mistakes, and they jumped him."
"I was out there battling," Lohse said. "One bad inning broke our back, but I was able to bounce back and keep us in it. Chalk it up to a bad inning. I battled as hard as I could."
The Cubs improved to 8-3 in their last 11 games at new Busch Stadium and avoided their first three-game losing skid this season. In the series finale, the Cardinals will try to avoid only their second series loss.
A fourth-inning double by right fielder Ryan Ludwick and bases-empty home runs by catcher Yadier Molina, who doubled earlier, and first baseman Albert Pujols pulled the Cardinals within 6-3 through six innings.
Consecutive doubles by Lilly and left fielder Alfonso Soriano leading off the seventh inning evicted Lohse and began a three-run rally that grew against seldom-seen Russ Springer.
"That was the end of it," La Russa said.
Rough inning sinks Lohse in loss
Starter touched up for six runs in the fourth vs. Cubs
ST. LOUIS - Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse had just one rocky outing in six starts in April, but because of one bad inning, his first start in May would become his worst of the season thus far.
The Chicago Cubs knocked Lohse around for six runs in the fourth inning on Saturday afternoon and handed the Cardinals a 9-3 defeat in front of a record crowd of 46,792 at Busch Stadium.
"Really, it was just one inning where I couldn't put the ball where I wanted to," Lohse said. "I left a lot of pitches up out over the plate, and that's a team that will hurt you if you do that."
The Cardinals fell to 19-12 on the season. The Cubs improved to 18-12. The teams will meet in the final game of the series at 7:05 p.m. CT on Sunday in a nationally-televised game on ESPN.
Chicago broke the game open in the fourth when right fielder Kosuke Fukudome had an RBI double to right, catcher Geovany Soto hit a two-run double to center field and second baseman Mike Fontenot had a three-run home run to right field, his second of the year.
"The pitch to Fukudome I was trying to get back in there with a nice little cutter down and in, and I think it just kind of broke down instead of in," Lohse said. "It was on the corner, but I'm trying to throw it to his back foot and it just didn't get there. I hung a curveball and made a couple bad pitches there in a row."
The Fontenot home run was the first Lohse allowed in 37 2/3 innings this season.
"He just couldn't make the pitch to get past the damage," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He made some mistakes and they jumped him."
The Cardinals answered with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth.
St. Louis scored in the bottom of the fourth when right fielder Ryan Ludwick's double to left-center brought home Brendan Ryan. Catcher Yadier Molina homered in the fifth inning, and first baseman Albert Pujols went deep in the sixth for his sixth home run of the season.
That was all the Cardinals could muster off Cubs starter Ted Lilly (2-4). The lefty allowed just three runs on six hits over seven innings, with four strikeouts and one walk.
"He likes to run the fastball in, and as soon as he runs that in, he likes to go soft away a lot of the time," Ludwick said. "He was effective with it today."
Chicago added three runs in the seventh on RBI doubles from left fielder Alfonso Soriano and Fukudome and a bases-loaded walk to Fontenot by Cardinals reliever Russ Springer.
Lohse (3-1) allowed eight runs on nine hits over six innings of work. He walked two batters and did not strike out any. He threw 106 pitches, with 67 for strikes.
"I was out there battling," Lohse said. "One bad inning kind of broke our back, but I was able to bounce back and keep us in it until I went out there in the seventh and made two bad pitches. I'll chalk it up to a bad inning. I was battling as hard as I could and got some quick outs besides the one bad inning."
ST. LOUIS - Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse had just one rocky outing in six starts in April, but because of one bad inning, his first start in May would become his worst of the season thus far.
The Chicago Cubs knocked Lohse around for six runs in the fourth inning on Saturday afternoon and handed the Cardinals a 9-3 defeat in front of a record crowd of 46,792 at Busch Stadium.
"Really, it was just one inning where I couldn't put the ball where I wanted to," Lohse said. "I left a lot of pitches up out over the plate, and that's a team that will hurt you if you do that."
The Cardinals fell to 19-12 on the season. The Cubs improved to 18-12. The teams will meet in the final game of the series at 7:05 p.m. CT on Sunday in a nationally-televised game on ESPN.
Chicago broke the game open in the fourth when right fielder Kosuke Fukudome had an RBI double to right, catcher Geovany Soto hit a two-run double to center field and second baseman Mike Fontenot had a three-run home run to right field, his second of the year.
"The pitch to Fukudome I was trying to get back in there with a nice little cutter down and in, and I think it just kind of broke down instead of in," Lohse said. "It was on the corner, but I'm trying to throw it to his back foot and it just didn't get there. I hung a curveball and made a couple bad pitches there in a row."
The Fontenot home run was the first Lohse allowed in 37 2/3 innings this season.
"He just couldn't make the pitch to get past the damage," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He made some mistakes and they jumped him."
The Cardinals answered with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth.
St. Louis scored in the bottom of the fourth when right fielder Ryan Ludwick's double to left-center brought home Brendan Ryan. Catcher Yadier Molina homered in the fifth inning, and first baseman Albert Pujols went deep in the sixth for his sixth home run of the season.
That was all the Cardinals could muster off Cubs starter Ted Lilly (2-4). The lefty allowed just three runs on six hits over seven innings, with four strikeouts and one walk.
"He likes to run the fastball in, and as soon as he runs that in, he likes to go soft away a lot of the time," Ludwick said. "He was effective with it today."
Chicago added three runs in the seventh on RBI doubles from left fielder Alfonso Soriano and Fukudome and a bases-loaded walk to Fontenot by Cardinals reliever Russ Springer.
Lohse (3-1) allowed eight runs on nine hits over six innings of work. He walked two batters and did not strike out any. He threw 106 pitches, with 67 for strikes.
"I was out there battling," Lohse said. "One bad inning kind of broke our back, but I was able to bounce back and keep us in it until I went out there in the seventh and made two bad pitches. I'll chalk it up to a bad inning. I was battling as hard as I could and got some quick outs besides the one bad inning."
Saturday, May 3, 2008
McClellan takes long way to the majors
May 1, 2008 --Cardinals pitcher Kyle McClellan shakes hands with Hazelwood West junior Shawn Kelley at the start of a game against Hazelwood Central. Thursday was "Kyle McClellan Day" at Hazelwood West.
HAZELWOOD — When his son was the rising ace of the Hazelwood West High ballclub, Terry McClellan became one of the founding fathers of The Bullpen Club. The boosters' first order was to spruce-up their boys' field — groomed grass, a brick backstop, bleachers and a touch of legacy.
Two wooden plaques, cut and painted to look like baseballs, went up with the names of Hazelwood West's two grads who became major-leaguers.
The school unveiled a third Thursday. It was for Terry's youngest son, Kyle.
"That was part of (the improvements) we wanted to do, putting something up to acknowledge the major-league players who came from here," Terry McClellan said. "I never thought about Kyle's name going up there next to them."
One year and a day since Cardinals reliever Kyle McClellan was at the lowest level of professional baseball, he received the highest honor from his high school. Thursday was "Kyle McClellan Day" at Hazelwood West. An hour before McClellan threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the varsity game, two students sat outside the school wearing T-shirts with the school mascot on the front and "McClellan 46" on the back.
Others crowded the field to see the local boy turned big-leaguer make a pitch from his old mound. A fitting one-year anniversary, of sorts.
On May 1, 2007, McClellan was moved from extended spring training to the High-A active roster. It was the first time he had been on an active roster in 22 months. That meant the end of an arduous rehab from two elbow surgeries and the beginning of an express-lane to the majors. As the first-place Cardinals host the second-place Cubs this weekend, McClellan, 23, is one reason those standings aren't reversed.
The rookie reliever is tied with the second-most holds in baseball (seven). He has a 1.72 ERA, and the Cardinals do not hesitate to dispatch him for what pitching coach Dave Duncan calls "significant situations." He is in May 2008, what Adam Wainwright was in May 2006.
"He has four pitches, and he throws them for strikes," said Wainwright, a reliever then and an ace now. "He tries to get ahead in the count. He's attacking guys. I'd like to think that's what I did in 2006."
Like Wainwright did then, McClellan has defined his role as a middle-inning shutdown reliever. Like Wainwright became later, McClellan is viewed as a future starter.
"Anybody who has four quality pitches, you have to look at them as having the potential to be a starter," Duncan said. "On top of that, his pitches are above average. He's got an above-average fastball and an above-average curveball. He has the potential to be a significant starter."
The highest McClellan had pitched before this season was Class AA, for 30 2/3 innings last season. Asked how much he knew about McClellan before spring, Duncan was blunt.
"Nothing. Didn't know anything about him," Duncan said. "He doesn't have to throw too many times before he gets your attention."
Drafted 762nd overall in 2002, McClellan skipped a scholarship to Mizzou to become a Cardinal. Injuries stopped his rise. First, it was Tommy John surgery in 2005. Then, after 6 2/3 innings in 2006, pain returned as cartilage began choking a nerve in his elbow. Another surgery followed.
"That's when you have doubts," his father said.
McClellan plugged on, through nearly two years of rehab. To pass the time when he wasn't at the Cardinals' Florida facility rehabbing, he got a job at Sports Authority and made selling warranties his field of competition. As he became healthier through rehab, he got stronger. His fastball started hopping in around 95 mph.
"I was terrible before rehab," McClellan said. "Going through rehab you mature really quick. You become stronger mentally. Having the game taken from you makes you understand it and what it really takes."
Last spring, McClellan was throwing well and stuck in extended spring training. The Cardinals had no minor-league opening for him.
On April 29, 2007, the death of Josh Hancock caused a ripple in the organization. Pitchers were moved and promoted at several levels, and McClellan found an opening. On May 1, McClellan joined High-A Palm Beach's bullpen. He posted a 1.24 ERA, surged to Springfield and struck out 54 in 59 2/3 innings combined.
That meant a spot on the 40-man roster, which led to spring training and Thursday's festivities.
Members of the 2002 Hazelwood West team surprised McClellan at the field. His brother, Matt, the Hazelwood West pitching coach, escorted him to the field — a field that will boast baseball placards for three big-leaguers: Al Nipper, Morgan Burkhart and, now, its first Cardinal.
"When he was in the minor leagues, he had a lot more time and it was like we had him to ourselves," said Kyle's mother, Kathy, motioning to throng gathered around her son. "Now, he doesn't have any time, and we have to share him with so many people. But there's good reason."
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