Figures.

Pretty much everyone on the Cardinals could have played better today. Lohse could have thrown fewer pitches and given up fewer than 4 runs over his 5 innings pitched. McClellan and Reyes could have been less crappy too. Ankiel (0-for-6, 5 LOB) was truly miserable, but none of the other position players had clutch hits, not really, with the possible exception of Molina's double in the eighth. While Reyes took the loss, the individual I am most frustrated with is Joe Thurston, who struck out with no outs and runners on 1st and 2nd in a tied game in the eighth. As I stated yesterday, this is a pet peeve of mine. Just like yesterday, the Cardinals could have taken the lead in the late innings but failed to do anything with a good situation.

Tomorrow is another day. I'll take a split of this series. Hell, I'll take a split of the season series. Just can't keep leaving runners on this way. Very frustrating.

Josh Kinney FAIL, Brendan Ryan FAIL, Brad Thompson FAIL

Despite the injury to Carpenter the Cardinals were in a position to win Tuesday night's baseball game. Josh Kinney had other plans. Cardinals 4, Diamondbacks 6.

Then the Cardinals stormed back with four singles and a walk with one out in the 9th. Tie game. The bases were loaded with just 1 out. Brendan Ryan just needs to put a ball in play, get Skip home somehow, and this is a winner with a save. Brendan Ryan struck out swinging and Rick Ankiel followed. Nothing aggravates me or my friend Dave more than the inability to score a runner from 3rd with fewer than two outs. Dreadful.

Brad Thompson came in and squeaked out a stressful 9th. In the 10th Thompson wasn't so lucky. Drive home safely. Terrible.

"That's a Winner!" - 3

First off, before I get to a very good Cardinals victory, I just want to acknowledge the Blues clinching a playoff spot. The Wild beat the Predators, the Blues beat the Blue Jackets, and the St. Louis Blues, against all expectations, clinched a spot in the playoffs. Also, depending on what the Ducks and the Blue Jackets do, the Blues could also finish 6th or 7th in the Western Conference. Good stuff.

As for the Cardinals, they got a good performance from their number 5 starter, J.P. If you would have told me before the game that J.P. could pitch 6.2 and allow 2 runs then I would have taken it. Btw, isn't J.P. the number 4 starter in light of Wellemeyer's performance? Anyways, J.P. performed well and Ludwick and Schumaker were the offensive stars. The only real bit of intrigue from this one, as far as I can tell, is the closer situation. Motte wasn't great, though he wasn't as bad as his first appearance. He got replaced by another right-handed pitcher though, so that should tell you something. Whatever the case, this is clearly going to be an issue for a some time.

I spoke WAY too soon

Jason Motte, dude, what the hell? Goat.

So what now? Ryan Franklin? Call Chris Perez back from Memphis? I don't mean to be too reactionary, but Motte did NOT look ready for the big time. Not today.

UPDATE: So, my prediction was pretty right, right? Our bullpen is certainly an unknown. Two inherited runners and four other scored on them. It'll be a long season if these guys can't be more effective.