Cards vs. Astros

I'll have more up later.

Going into the game, Chris Carpenter (13-6, 2.97) was slated to start against Andy Pettite (13-13, 4.34). However, Pettite was scratched and instead, Taylor Buchholz (6-9, 5.96) starts the game.

Monday
Lineup
Aaron Miles SS
Chris Duncan RF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Scott Spiezio LF
Juan Encarnacion CF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Yadier Molina C
Chris Carpenter P

Carp's ERA is now at 2.84. Phil Garner made managerial decisions that really caused his team the win today. Ronnie Belliard had a three-run triple as a result. Rolen later left the game when John Rodriguez pinch hit for him. Spiezio moved from left to third and Skip Schumaker came in to play left field. Carp pitched a complete game shutout for only the third time this season. It also marked his 99th career win.

Just like five years ago, Jack Buck's voice preceded the game today (see poem above this entry).

On Monday night, prior to St. Louis' game against Houston, the Cardinals held a ceremony commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Police, fire and military personnel were recognized, and an enormous American flag was unfurled on the field.

But just as was the case five years earlier, it was Buck's words that captured those in attendance in St. Louis. The Cardinals played a video of Buck's famous reading of his original poem "For America" as the centerpiece of the ceremonies. Buck read the poem at the old Busch Stadium on Sept. 17, 2001, prior to the first game back at the ballpark after the attacks.

"We're fortunate that we were here," said manager Tony La Russa, who helmed the Cards in 2001 as well. "Whoever heard his words, benefited. But seeing it and hearing it in person ..."

Opening the events on Monday were Jeff Suppan and his wife, Dana, contributing $10,000 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. The fund is Suppan's charity of choice, aiding the families of those who lose their lives fighting in the United States military.

Also, in the Cardinals notes, Eckstein and Edmonds are working to get back into the lineup.

St. Louis 7, Houston 0
Winning pitcher - Chris Carpenter (14-6)

Tuesday
Jeff Weaver (6-14, 5.85) takes the start against Andy Pettitte (13-13, 4.34). Weaver is making his first start against the Astros this season. Pettite was supposed to start on Monday but he twisted his ankle on Saturday, thus postponing his start. Pettite is 1-0 in two starts against the Cards this season.

Lineup
Preston Wilson RF
Scott Spiezio LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion CF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Aaron Miles SS
Yadier Molina C
Jeff Weaver P

Pujols had a walk-off double against Brad Lidge in the bottom of the 9th. He was the 5th man due up. J-Rod pinch hit for Molina. Schumaker pinch ran for J-Rod. Jose Vizcaino PH for Looper. Wilson struck out. Spiezio was hit by a pitch. Spiezio and Skip scored on Pujols double. Nothing like ruining Brad Lidge's career. It was his 6th blown save of the season.

Winning pitcher - Braden Looper (9-1)
HR: Preston Wilson (15)

Wednesday
Jason Marquis (14-14, 5.66) makes a start on short rest, as Reyes is missing a turn due to a tired arm, and starts against Roy Oswalt (12-8, 3.15). Oswalt is 1-1 in three starts against the Cardinals this season. Marquis is 2-1 in three starts against the Astros, two of which he pitched 7 IP or more.

Lineup
Aaron Miles SS
Chris Duncan RF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Spiezio LF
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion CF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Gary Bennett C
Jason Marquis P

Cards split this series 2-1 against Houston. With regards to the bullpen, Brad Thompson pitched two innings. Josh Kinney lasted two innings. Hancock went one. Narveson went two innings. Sosa is in line for the win if the Cards come back to win in the 9th. The pen's only given up one run - a HR to Berkman - in their eight innings today. I don't know what's going wrong with Jason Marquis. He's not the pitcher he should be and definitely could be. You never know which version of Marquis that you will see when he trots out to the mound. A slumping Scott Rolen scored the only run of the game.

Losing pitcher - Jason Marquis (14-15)

Milestone watch:
Albert Pujols needs 9 home runs to tie Ken Boyer for 2nd on the Cardinals all-time home runs list with 255.
Jim Edmonds needs 1 home run to pass Ray Lankford for 4th all-time as a Cardinal.
Jason Isringhausen needs 1 saves for 250 career saves.
Chris Carpenter needs 1 more win for 100 career wins.
Albert Pujols has his sixth consecutive season with 100 runs, 100 RBI, 30 home runs, and at least a .300 batting average. He is the only player to do so in the first five seasons of a MLB career. With less than a month to go in the season, Pujols is batting .323.