Cardinals 4, Cubs 3
If the first four games of the Cubs/Cards series are any indication of what the season series is going to be like, we'll be in for a treat every time these two teams meet. The pitching was solid on both sides, not a run came across the plate until the 5th inning. Dempster and Wainwright combined for 13 innings, 4 earned runs (3 and 1, respectively) and 12 K's. Wainwright was hurt by an error in the 7th inning (17th in 17 games by the Cards, yikes!), which allowed 2 unearned runs to come across, and cost him a decision in the game. Pujols came up in the 8th to hit a soft single up the middle, steal second (3rd steal in as many games), and score on another soft single by Ludwick, which proved to be the difference in the game.
Player of the game for this one goes to Joe Thurston. Though it was Pujols manufacturing the run in the 8th that won it, Thurston plated 2 and scored another in a 3 run 5th inning for the Cardinals. If a guy accounts for 75% of your runs, and you win by one, I'm inclined to give him the PoG.
Cardinals 8, Cubs 2
Another great game put together by the Cards, and another series win locked down (regardless of what happens on Sunday, the Cards won this series by taking the first two)! Boggs started this one, and faired very well, going 5 2/3rds while allowing 1 unearned run. The Cubbies scored their second run on Boyer in the 9th, but it also was unearned. I don't believe it's a stat category, but the Cards just racked up an earned run shut out. I should rally to make it a category.
Pujols is easily the player of the game for this one. Sure, he only had one hit, but that one was a monster - a 441 foot shot with the bases loaded. Barden gets an honorable mention for his 3 hit, 2 RBI performance.
Cubs 10, Cardinals 3
As good as yesterday's game was, this one was not. A day after handing it to the Cubs, the Cards had it handed right back to them. Wellemeyer was not good - allowing 6 runs (5 earned) in 5 innings. Newly acquired Boyer didn't pitch well either, allowing 2 in 2/3rds of an inning. The Cubs, however, did find a way to neutralize Pujols, by walking him 3 times and hitting him with one pitch. Brendan Ryan had a pinch hit double to score Thurston who walked and stole second. And the other two runs were via the long ball.
Molina is the best candidate for player of the game. He is the only Cardinal with 2 hits, and one of those was a solo shot to lead off the second.
Up next: The Cards hit the road for three in Atlanta, beginning with what looks to be the Monday night game on ESPN.
0 comments:
Post a Comment