Straight Flushed

It was a beautiful day to play hooky from work out at the ballpark this afternoon, at least until Yadier Molina punched a bases loaded single to clear the bases and lead the Cardinals to a 10-4 win. Noah Lowry was in trouble all day long, but the story was the Cardinals’ starter by committee approach when Chris Carpenter was a late scratch. Brad Thompson got the start, going two innings.

I got to see Adam Wainwright pitch for the first time, and after a rocky start, settled down to earn the win. On top of his pitching, he blasted a homer deep into the left field bleachers in his first ever at bat. He really clobbered it, and it wasn’t the only extra base hit for the Cardinal pitchers today. Jason Marquis, fresh off his win yesterday, actually pinch hit for Thompson in the third and hit a triple. And our own Braden Looper, another guy who doesn’t get to hit much, drove a double into the right field corner. Looper was overpowering during the last two innings, and anyone in BABI who was there should be on the phone trying to trade for him tomorrow.

It was a disappointing outing for Noah who gave up 10 hits and 3 walks in 6 innings. They really need to win most of his starts if this team is going anywhere. This lineup without Bonds and Alou certainly doesn’t scare anybody.

Scott Munter has got to be on the verge of heading to the minors. He gave up 4 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks while only getting one guy out. His ball is just not sinking and he doesn’t have good control over it.

Big Al Pujols blasted a line drive the opposite way off the right field brick wall that was hit so hard he only got a single. This guy is on fire the way Bonds was in 2001, and is on pace for about 200 RBI’s. So why don’t they walk him every single time he gets up? Why doesn’t he get the Bonds treatment?

Closer and closer:

Jose Valverde got another ugly save today. His ERA is up to 4.19. He hasn’t always been amazing as a closer, and maybe we’re starting to get a taste of that. We’ve got Lyon and Medders in the wings.

Brad Lidge came in during the eighth for Houston and got nobody out as the Astros gave up 4 in the inning. This guy was the hottest closer in the NL last year, but he just hasn’t been the same since Big Al clobbered that ball in the 2005 NLCS.

Izzy was not exactly stellar last night. He came in with 1 out in the 9th, up by 4, with 2 runners on. He walked the first two batters he faced, forcing in a run, before getting the last two Giants. Wainwright was actually warming up in the bullpen. It was exciting enough that we stopped the poker game temporarily to watch the bottom of the ninth. We also stopped every time Barry came up. Homers all. That’s us, not Barry last night.

Finally, let’s commemorate The Doc’s king high straight flush last night. As I told him, he’s got about 40 years left to top that hand. I’ll leave it to Kenny 9 to set the odds. In high low poker, though, I'll take a 5 high straight flush every time.