Cardinals On The Downside of The Teeter-Totter

As much as the Cardinals put pressure on the Reds during Friday’s game to take the win ~ yesterday the Reds gave a the Cardinals some “payback”.  Reds SP Mike Leake was on the mound 6.2 innings and did allow 10 hits ~ but with the Reds defensive, the Cardinals were only able to put two runs on the board for a loss to the Reds, 8-2.  Leake had no walks and three strike outs, 4.51 ERA for the day.  Offensively, the Cardinals were sluggish at best and left way too many runners = opportunities stranded.

Cardinals SP Jaime Garcia, who recently returned from the DL with a should strain, did not have his best day.  In his six inning stretch, the Reds put up seven hits with four runs. Garcia allowed two walks, but did have five strike outs.  In the top of the seventh, the Cardinals did tighten on the Reds lead with their second run by Cruz on Robinson’s grounder…a double play for the Reds, 2-4, then Leake was then retired from the mound.

Cardinals RP Dickson, followed Garcia for the seventh.  RP Barrett Browning had been sent down to Memphis, with Dickson being brought up.  Dickson made two relief appearances for the Cardinals earlier this season (May 19 at LAD & May 24 vs. PHI), allowing one unearned run on three hits in his 2.1 innings pitched.  He has fashioned a 5-11 mark with a 3.55 ERA in 22 starts at Memphis this season, ranking 4th among Pacific Coast League ERA leaders.  However, definitely not his best performance in the seventh and the Reds took full advantage of the rookie RP.  Dickson allowed four hits, 4 runs ~ Reds B. Phillips had a solo home run on a full count, Rolen put up a double RBI and a single by D. Novarro to bring in Bruce for their eighth run. Dickson ended his inning with a 10.80 ERA.  The bullpen has been an issue for the Cardinals all season … and, for yesterday, Dickson was not the solution for manager Matheny. CP Rzepczynski at least held the Reds from adding anymore runs to the board.  It was rookie CP J Hoover, for the Reds, who was credited with a save.

Both C Yadier Molina, twisted left ankle in a recent game against the Astros, and 3B David Freese, injured left wrist by a wild pitch in Friday’s game against the Reds, are on the day-to day DL. Freese was to have a C-scan of his wrist yesterday to determine how soon he will return.  Both players are key players for the Cardinals ~ and any length of time, at this juncture, will make a difference.   No one likes to see any player go down, and can only hope that both are back in the line-up very soon.  The Reds Votto, who has been on their 15 day DL, is very close to returning but still working the rehab for his knee.  Even though injuries leave a void in a line-up, a team must find a way to overcome ~ and the Reds certainly have done that.

The three game series is split between the Cardinals and the Reds.  Starting pitchers for today’s game will be Cardinals Adam Wainwright (12-10/3.65) with opposing the Reds Homer Bailey (10-8/4.11).  The Reds have the strongest defense in the league, which the Cardinals can match ….but offensively, the Cardinals have got to hold their teeter-totter ride of this season ~ at the top.  Even though the weather has improved somewhat, the heat is still on the Cardinals ~ their safety zone for a Wild Card position is not in stone…especially since the Pirates shutout the Brewers yesterday, 4-0.  And once this series is closed out, the Cardinals will head to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates again for three games. Then a four game series against the strong Washington Nationals which will be their first  series for this season ~ taking the Cardinals into September.  Much to be accomplished, and much to prove, between now and the end of September … which the Cardinals will “host” the Nationals, followed by the Reds in their last six games of the regular season.  So, does manager Matheny and team have it in them to overcome?!!  The anticipation and excitement builds.

So baseball fans ~ to your team, good luck …. there is a lot of great baseball yet to be played.

Have a great day ~ Always, Elichap

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