Sunday, May 14, 2006

Recapping the weekend...

Sorry, I was very busy this past weekend and am just now catching up on things.

Whether or not he has a bad back, Pujols is hitting home runs like usual. Will it be a seaosn to remember for Albert?

Is Adam Wainwright the answer for a temporary problem? The thing with Adam is that he is actually a starter but has been pitching as a middle reliever due to the fact that the Cards have about seven starters on the 40-man roster. It was either go down to Memphis or pitch from the pen. He's still pitching on 3-5 days rests but for two innings maximum.

The Corner now belongs to centerfielder Jim Edmonds.
The Corner once belonged to Mark McGwire. Edmonds was deeded the space plus an adjacent locker in old Busch Stadium in 2002, his third year with the club. The neighborhood has since housed graybeards Tino Martinez, Reggie Sanders and Ray Lankford. Scott Rolen and Scott Spiezio now reside in his ZIP code.

If Edmonds is the Corner's unofficial mayor, the remainder of his term is uncertain. His perceived responsibilities with the club have changed as well.

Except for remarkably well-preserved outfielder So Taguchi, Edmonds is the oldest position player on the roster now that Sanders, Cal Eldred and Larry Walker have moved on. He also gained seniority within the clubhouse after Matt Morris' defection to the San Francisco Giants in December.
I want Jim Edmonds, when he does retire, to retire as a Cardinal but I also would prefer that he does so with at least 400 home runs. He had a slow start but he's hitting a lot better now.

The Cardinals got some very sad news recently as Ricardo Rincon will be out for the season.

This explains why Deivi Cruz is not in the organization anymore. I didn't think he was at all despite the 2006 Topps card. The Cardinals get a grade of "C" as we head to the 40th game of the season on Thursday.

Friday notes:
Mark Mulder picked up the win as the Cardinals won 5-3 against the Diamondbacks. Jason Isringhausen got his 11th save of the season. For the Cardinals, only Jim Edmonds went yard. Pujols did get an RBI in the first inning to help give the Cardinals the lead.

Saturday notes:
A few home runs and Jason Marquis got his fourth victory after a few bad outings as the Cards crushed the Diamondbacks 9-1. Scott Rolen homered in the first inning but not before Pujols hit a single to score John Rodriguez. The Rolen home run brought in Pujols and Edmonds. Pujols became the fastest ever to nineteen home runs in a season during the second inning. Three singles in the fourth by Pujols, Edmonds, and Rolen combined for four RBIs. There were 13 or so position players and Yadier Molina played first base! Tyler Johnson made his season debut pitching an inning of relief in the 9th. Falkenborg pitched one inning in the 8th.

Sunday Notes:
Sunday was not a pretty one. Chris Carpenter started but the Cards lost 7-6 to the D-backs. Three of the runs given up by St. Louis were unearned. Braden Looper and Adam Wainwright both gave up two runs each. Wainwright picked up the loss. Randy Flores, Josh Hancock, and Tyler Johnson all pitched in relief. No home runs out of the ballpark for St. Louis today though Pujols hit a sac fly to bring in Eckstein.

Milestone watch:
Albert Pujols needs one home run for sole possession of fourth place as a Cardinal.
Jim Edmonds needs 5 home runs to tie Mark McGwire and Albert Pujols for 4th for Cardinal home runs.
Jeff Suppan needs two wins for his 100th career in.
Jason Isringhausen needs 9 saves to tie Lee Smith's club record of 160 (Jason has been a Cardinal since the start of 2002).

What's next
METS
Tuesday: Jeff Suppan vs. Tom Glavine, 8:10 pm
Wednesday: Mark Mulder vs. Steve Trachsel, 8:10 pm
Thursday: Jason Marquis vs. TBA, 1:10 pm

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