St. Louis Cardinals @ Bare Baseball - Baseball MLB Blog

St. Louis falls big to red-hot Braves

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:33:00 +0000

07/19/2006
ST. LOUIS -- After a rough patch in late June, Jason Marquis had pitched brilliantly in July. Facing his former team on Tuesday night, Marquis reverted back to his previous form. And it wasn't pretty.
The right-hander was pummeled for 12 earned runs in five-plus innings, paving the way for a loss, 14-5, to the Braves at Busch Stadium. Marquis trailed by eight runs after four but was brought out for more punishment in the fifth and sixth before finally giving way to Tyler Johnson.
"It's his game to hold them down and give us a chance to win," manager Tony La Russa said. "He has a responsibility to pitch deeper into the game. After that, I don't know what the problem is, other than you get so far behind and it gets embarrassing."
After allowing 20 earned runs and seven homers in his final two June starts, Marquis had rebounded to post a trio of solid outings, allowing just eight earned runs in 21 2/3 innings -- prompting his manager to say the right-hander had top-of-rotation stuff.
He didn't display it Tuesday, dropping to 0-2 with a 14.40 ERA in three career starts against the team that picked him in the 1996 draft. This start, though, was one of the worst of his career.
"I didn't make pitches like I should," Marquis said. "I ran into a hot team and I just wasn't very good tonight. I didn't do my job, and that's what it comes down to."
This outing was similar to the right-hander's June 21 start vs. the White Sox. Marquis, starting after the staff had been pounded for 20 runs the previous night, needed to eat innings and keep his team in the game.
Instead, he allowed the most runs a Cardinals starter had given up since 1996, permitting 13 earned runs and 14 hits in five innings. Tuesday night yielded more of the same. After Atlanta bulldozed Jeff Weaver and the bullpen for 15 runs on Monday, Marquis needed to throw well and work deep into the contest. It didn't happen.
"I just stick with my game plan and try to execute to the best of my ability and make pitches and obviously, it didn't turn out that way," the right-hander said.
Marquis allowed runs in every inning he pitched, including eight through the first four and 10 after five.
"Giving up so many runs early [is the biggest concern]," La Russa said. "It wasn't a matter of pitches. He could have thrown more. We just can't burn our pitching staff and have nothing for the rest of the year."
The poor outing yielded the Cardinals' second straight loss and dropped their overall record to 52-40. The defeat didn't hurt the 'Birds in the standings. Coupled with the Reds' loss to the Mets, the Redbirds still remain 3 1/2 games ahead of Cincinnati in the NL Central.
Atlanta entered the night with 51 second-half runs, 20 more than the Majors' next team. Marquis (11-7) only continued the onslaught, allowing 14 hits and three homers. The three gopher balls upped his National League high to 24.
"I didn't make good pitches, or I would make quality pitches and they found holes," Marquis said. "They capitalized on mistakes, and they capitalized on good pitches also."
The double-digit output marked the fifth straight game Atlanta had tallied at least 10 runs, the first team since the 1930 New York Yankees to accomplish the feat.
Marquis coaxed outs from the first two batters in the top of the first before the floodgates opened. Chipper Jones singled and Andruw Jones deposited a Marquis offering into the left-field bullpen for a 2-0 lead.
The Braves tallied three more in the second, one in the third and two apiece in the fourth and fifth.
Chipper Jones led off the sixth with a homer off Marquis. Andruw Jones singled, finally bringing La Russa to the mound for pitching change. Things didn't improve, as Johnson quickly permitted a two-run homer to Brian McCann, raising the score to 13-1.
The 'Birds still thought they had a chance.
"This is the big leagues," Chris Duncan said. "We are a first-place club. No matter how much you are down, you have to keep fighting and keep going. So we have to keep battling and try and make something happen."
The Redbirds mounted a sixth-inning comeback, scoring four times off Tim Hudson and reliever Oscar Villareal and cutting the deficit to 13-5.
Still, they couldn't get any closer. On Wednesday, they will turn to ace Chris Carpenter to stop the bleeding and steady a rotation that has been scorched for 18 earned runs in its last two starts. Carpenter tossed a two-hit shutout in his last start.
"He has been lights out," Duncan said. "It's going to be a big game."

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Notes: Blustery night at Busch

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:32:00 +0000

07/20/2006
ST. LOUIS -- A powerful storm with 84 mph winds and blowing rain forced a two-hour, 12-minute rain delay before Wednesday's night game between the Braves and the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Only a few minutes before the scheduled 7:10 p.m. CT start time, the skies darkened and heavy winds started at the new ballpark. The grounds crew immediately brought out the tarp and heavy rains started to fall a few minutes later.
"It was terrible," fan Jen Klimer said.
Tornado warnings were issued in three counties in the metropolitan St. Louis area and more than 300,000 homes lost electricity. According to several sources, 30 people suffered injuries at the ballpark and five were taken to the hospital.
The storm also wreaked havoc throughout the new park, shredding parts of the field tarp and destroying the plastic sheeting in the press box. The FOX studio was tipped over and demolished.
Fans also had to avoid debris while taking cover.
"I was standing behind one of the field posts, and one of the trash cans came flying across and a beer cart fell down," Jenn VanderBol said.
The players weren't immune to the damage. Several players, including starter Chris Carpenter, called their families before the game. Carpenter's family and Jim Edmonds' family were among those who lost power.
"That was as bad as a storm as I've seen," Carpenter said.
The dugout was flooded with ankle-high water. Inside the clubhouse, several places, includes the family area for players' children, incurred water damage. Things could have gotten worse, but Cardinals personnel contained the flooding.
"We have a terrific staff," La Russa said.
Several players, including Chris Duncan, came out to survey the damage during the delay. After the rain stopped, the umpires, grounds crew and several Cardinals front-office members, including general manager Walt Jocketty, met at home plate.
After the meeting, the grounds crew cleared the field and spent about 15 minutes fixing the drenched home-plate area, easily the worst part of the field.
"You have to give a high-five to [umpire crew chief] Joe West," La Russa said. "He knew exactly what needed to be done. He told the grounds crew exactly how they needed to prepare the plate for the game. "
If the game wasn't played Wednesday, both teams would play Thursday afternoon at 1:10 p.m., at which time the predicted heat index was expected to be above 100 degrees.
"West was aware of tomorrow's weather," La Russa said. "Give Joe West credit."
The game resumed at 9:22 p.m. CT.
Luna sees start: Hector Luna got a start against Braves right-hander Jason Shiell on Wednesday night. Luna, who sees the majority of his playing time against left-handers, played second base and batted eighth.
Aaron Miles, the other half of the Cardinals' second-base platoon, is the usual second baseman against a right-handed starter.
"I just wanted to play [Luna]," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "I just look at the [starter] and sometimes it's close and other times it's not so close."
La Russa didn't indicate if Wednesday's start could yield more at-bats for Luna against right-handed pitchers.
"I think the more [Luna's] at-bats looks like Albert [Pujols'], Scott [Rolen's] and David [Eckstein's], the more playing time he will get," La Russa. "He does well, but he needs to be more consistent."
Luna bests Miles in nearly offensive category, batting .302/356/429 (average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage), while Miles is hitting 260/324/333. Miles actually slightly bests Luna in overall production against left-handers, while Luna -- albeit in fewer at-bats -- carries better offensive numbers against right-handers.
"Every chance you get, make an impression," La Russa said. "Both are doing pretty well."
Throughout his career, La Russa generally favors the veteran over the younger player. Miles has more than 1,100 career at-bats, twice as many as Luna.
"It's just experience," La Russa. "Young players don't figure it out as quickly. Except for Albert, he was the exception."
La Russa discusses Marquis: On Tuesday night, Jason Marquis suffered through one of the worst starts by a Cardinal pitcher in La Russa's tenure.
Marquis allowed 12 runs in five-plus innings, the second time this season he has permitted at least 12 runs in a start. On June 21, the right-hander was scorched for 13 runs in five innings by the White Sox. La Russa said he didn't want Marquis to suffer the same fate twice, but had no other choice.
"You just take one game at a time, and if a guy is struggling, you would like to get him out of there," La Russa said. "No doubt, if a guy was getting beat up, then you hope to do something else. ... There wasn't another option, unless you walk into [Wednesday's] game with nothing."
La Russa still has confidence in the right-hander. Without those two starts, Marquis (11-7, 5.97 ERA), would be 11-5 with a 4.59 ERA.
"He started the first game of the second half, when he struggled he has still gotten the ball," La Russa said.
Mulder, Bennett, Bigbie updates: Mark Mulder continues to rehab from his inflammation in his left shoulder. The tall southpaw hasn't pitched since June 20. He threw a bullpen session Wednesday afternoon.
"He did some mechanics Wednesday," head athletic trainer Barry Weinberg said. "He will have a day off Thursday and throw again on Friday."
Weinberg said Gary Bennett, recovering from a strained oblique muscle, didn't have any pain after catching all nine innings Tuesday.
Larry Bigbie, recovering from an umbilical hernia, continued his rehab. After spending several days at Class-A Quad Cities, the outfielder moved up to Double-A Springfield. He went 0-for-4 as the S-Cards' DH Tuesday night.
Greene wins award: Tyler Greene was named the Midwest League Player of the Week after hitting five homers and 11 RBIs from July 10-16. Recently demoted from Class A Palm Beach, Greene has found new life with the Swing, hitting eight homers and driving in 20 runs after 14 games.
Baby 'Birds: Triple-A Memphis took a tough loss, 10-9 to Round Rock, after rallying from down 9-4 to tie the game. Brian Martin had three hits and drove in two runs, while Alan Benes pitched four innings of shutout relief. Travis Smith was drilled for nine runs on 10 hits in two innings. ... Double-A Springfield was pounded by Wichita, 11-1. Shaun Boyd and Juan Richardson had two hits each. ... Jaime Garcia gave up five runs on eight hits, striking out three against four walks over six innings, as Class A Palm Beach lost, 7-2, to Tampa. ... Class A Quad Cities lost, 7-2, in 12 innings. Adam Daniels (5-8) fanned a career-high 11 batters, the highest total from a Quad Cities pitcher this year. ... Short-season State College captured a victory, 3-1, over Lowell. Gary Daley, Jr. earned the victory after tossing 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball. ... Rookie league Johnson City won, 11-9, over Kingsport. Christian Lopez delivered the most damage, contributing three hits, two runs scored and a RBI.
Player of the day: Cody Haerther. One of the top prospects in the Cardinals organization, the S-Cards outfielder has struggled this season, batting just .255. He enjoyed one of the best games of his pro career Tuesday night, going 4-for-5 with two homers and six RBIs.

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Edmonds powers Cards in finale

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:31:00 +0000

07/20/2006
ST. LOUIS -- As one of the biggest storms in recent memory raced through St. Louis, Chris Carpenter stood in the bowels of Busch Stadium, calling his family.
"I was trying to call my wife, but couldn't get through," he said. "Finally, I talked to a friend who said our house lost power and my wife and my kids went to a hotel for the night. They are OK."
Crisis averted, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner waited out a two-hour, 12-minute rain delay before tossing another gem, pitching seven strong innings as the Cardinals defeated the Braves, 8-3, on Wednesday night at Busch Stadium. The victory kept the Redbirds 3 1/2 games ahead of the Reds in the NL Central.
"It was tough, because he had a long delay, but he definitely stepped up," Braden Looper said. "You don't want to say it, but it is almost like he is supposed to do it. He is your guy, and he is definitely one of the best starting pitchers I have ever been around. He got a big win for us today."
Coming off a two-hit shutout on Friday and a NL Player of the Week Award on Monday, Carpenter improved to 9-4 overall and lowered his season ERA to 2.83. At home, he has been nearly unhittable, compiling a 4-2 record and a NL-best 1.43 ERA at the new Busch Stadium.
At first, though, it never seemed Carpenter would get a chance to pitch. The powerful storm had threatened to cancel the game. More than 300,000 homes were without power, 30 people were injured at the stadium and the field tarp was torn. In the dugout, players walked through water that came up to their ankles.
"I can't remember a storm like that in St. Louis," manager Tony La Russa said.
Carpenter was three pitches away from completing his warmup when umpires suspended the game. More than two hours later, he was finally on the mound for the start of the contest.
"This has never happened to me before," he said. "Go out and get loose, and then go sit back down and then do it again without pitching in the game, so I didn't know what to expect. The second time out, I went out there and threw about a third of the pitches that I usually throw, and I felt good and was ready to go."
The Braves nicked Carpenter for a first-inning run on an Andruw Jones single, but the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner dominated after that, retiring 15 of the next 17 hitters he faced.
"We were going against Mr. Cy Young tonight and he looked like Cy Young to me," Braves manager Bobby Cox said.
Making his 10th start at home, Carpenter stopped a Braves team that had scored in double figures in five straight games, matching a record set by the 1930 New York Yankees of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
"He didn't throw many pitches down the middle and didn't give him too much to hit," La Russa said of his ace.
Carpenter, who has worked at least seven innings in seven of his past eight starts, also helped steady a taxed bullpen that had worked 14 innings in the past three games and a starting rotation that was scorched for 18 earned runs in its last two starts.
"You are just prepared to go out there and pitch," Carpenter said. "I felt like I had really good stuff and I could just go out there and pitch. I threw more of a changeup that I had been working on, and it worked out. All I can control is my job."
The right-hander said his stuff was just as good as his last start -- the two-hit masterpiece against the Dodgers. La Russa, though, pulled him after seven innings and an economical 77 pitches. Carpenter never threw more than 15 pitches in a single inning and twice kept his pitch count in single digits for an inning.
"I felt like I could I have gone all nine," Carpenter said.
Meanwhile, the offense provided plenty for the Redbirds' ace, scoring all eight runs in the first five innings. Jim Edmonds provided most of the damage with a three-run shot in the third inning off Braves starter Jason Shiell. The blast marked the third straight game Edmonds has gone out of the park. After a slow start, the center fielder is starting to regain his power stroke, slugging .778 in July.
"I am getting about one good swing a game," he said. "Hopefully I can put a few more of those like that together."
The Cardinals strung a few more baserunners together in the fifth, sending 10 hitters to the plate and scoring four runs.
That was all their ace needed, allowing just a Brian McCann solo homer in the seventh before giving way to four relievers.

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Duncan filling two holes for Cards

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:29:00 +0000

07/20/2006
ST. LOUIS -- Two of the major questions surrounding the Cardinals in Spring Training dealt with left field and the No. 2 spot in the batting order.
In July, the Redbirds may have found a solution for both problems in Chris Duncan. The 25-year-old son of longtime pitching coach Dave Duncan is hitting for average and power and giving the Cardinals a sense of normalcy at those two positions.
"It's been impressive," manager Tony La Russa said. "There are a lot of people who are high on him in the organization, and I am one of them."
After 93 games, La Russa has started 11 different players in the No. 2 hole, and 10 players have manned left field. Recently, though, Duncan has filled both, giving the Cardinals more pop. His play could change the team's approach as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches.
A power-hitting left-handed bat, Duncan had a cup of coffee with the big-league club at the end of last season. He began this season at Triple-A Memphis before seeing limited action in the Majors during late May and early June.
But since July 3, Duncan has been a vital cog for the first-place Redbirds. And it looks like he won't be going back to the Minors anytime soon.
"What Chris is doing is trying to take advantage of every opportunity he gets," Dave Duncan said. "He knows how the game his played up here. If he does well, he gets more opportunities. He is trying to do all of the things that he can do to get ready for when the opportunity is there for him. He knows he just has to take good, solid at-bats."
Duncan, playing mostly against right-handers, has capitalized on the opportunity, batting .312 with a .349 on-base percentage. He has four homers and 12 RBI in 77 at-bats.
Duncan's average and on-base percentage are welcome additions to the club, but it's his power that makes an impact. La Russa often likes to start a power guy in the No. 2 spot over a bat control player.
"You are seeing more and more clubs adopt that approach and bat guys [No.2] who can drive the ball a little bit and do some things versus a bat control guy," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said. "I think you may see more of that in the future, too."
Duncan also provided a much-needed jolt to a left-field position and No. 2 spot that ranked near the bottom of the NL in nearly every offensive category. With David Eckstein getting on base in front of him and Albert Pujols waiting on deck, Duncan has seen a steady diet of fastballs. And he has taken advantage.
"I am just seeing the ball well and getting some good pitches to hit," Duncan said. "The pitches are the same, but they are closer to the strike zone because they can't afford to walk me with Albert on deck. I have the luxury of being a little more aggressive."
Mainly a first pitch swinger -- he is 10-for-16 when the count is 0-0 or 0-1 -- Duncan has scorched opposing pitching when hitting second, batting .370 in 27 at-bats.
His overall production is forcing team management to rethink a trade for an established outfielder. Duncan's .894 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) comes cheap and provides similar numbers to other possible trade options, including the Phillies' David Dellucci (.933 OPS) and Bobby Abreu (893 OPS) and the Nationals' Alfonso Soriano (.926 OPS).
"If we make a deal where we can get an established guy, we will," Jocketty said. "If we don't, we are very comfortable with where we are at. That is part of the reason we brought him back up, we wanted to see what he could do."

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Cards drop duel to Dodgers

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 07:01:00 +0000

03/07/2006
Dodgers at the plate: Andy LaRoche's double down the line opened the scoring. LaRoche later added a single to his line. Jason Repko's tie-breaking two-run single gave the Dodgers their margin of victory. James Loney had a pair of base hits and scored a run.
Cardinals at the plate: David Eckstein doubled and scored. John Gall had a sacrifice fly and singled. But for the most part, it was a quiet day for St. Louis, which was held to four hits.
Dodgers on the mound: Starter Brett Tomko pitched three solid innings for the win, allowing a run on three hits. Eric Stults pitched three scoreless, hitless innings in relief. Justin Orenduff, Hong-Chih Kuo and John Meloan each tossed a shutout inning.
Cardinals on the mound: Jeff Suppan showed progress from his first start, but he still allowed three runs in three innings. Jason Isringhausen and Jeff Nelson each pitched a shutout inning in their respective spring debuts. Blaine Neal twirled two shutout frames.
Grapefruit League records: Dodgers 3-2; Cardinals 2-4

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Second base spot not quite sewn up

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 07:00:00 +0000

03/08/2006
VIERA, Fla. -- A year ago, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa proclaimed that new signee Mark Grudzielanek had nothing guaranteed. Grudzielanek, said the skipper, would have to win the second base job; it wouldn't be given to him.
And then Spring Training started, and Grudzielanek worked every day with new shortstop David Eckstein. He got the at-bats, he got the chances, and there was never any doubt he was the man.
Fast-forward a year, and La Russa could be heard saying many of the same things about new acquisition Junior Spivey, even though Spivey looked like a heavy favorite to win the gig. This time around, though, it looks like there really is some competition.
Spivey will be pushed by Hector Luna, as long as Luna impresses. Aaron Miles, though sidelined, put up a five-hit night in his only full game of the spring thus far.
"If Luna's not playing well, then it's not very competitive," said La Russa. "If Luna's playing well, you've got a competition. If Miles is jumping in there ...
"It's competition. By definition, you can't compete with yourself. So a lot depends on how Luna looks, how Miles looks."
All of which is a long way of saying that while Spivey may be the favorite, he's not a given. La Russa is greatly intrigued by Luna's possibilities. And it's understandable, given that Luna hit .285 with a .344 on-base percentage and .409 slugging percentage in limited duty in 2005.
Spivey has been an All-Star in the past, but a shoulder injury ended his 2004 and hindered him in 2005. He followed that up with a wrist injury that all but finished him in '05.
So though he knows he's in competition, it's not what he's thinking about most.
"I'm concerned about getting myself ready to play, regardless," he said. "I'm not looking at it like that. You've got to get yourself ready to play, especially at this point in the spring. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon. Putting energy into things that you have no control over, that's not the way you play this game."
La Russa is taking a similarly long view on Spivey, who had a slow start in games. After showing up early and looking good in workouts, he went hitless in his first 15 Grapefruit League at-bats.
He finally poked a two-run single in extra innings on Wednesday.
"It's no big deal," he said. "I'm not worried about whether I have base hits or not. I just want to have good at-bats."
Luna has impressed in his time in the Major Leagues, but he wasn't happy to be demoted last year, and he batted .224 in 223 at-bats at Triple-A.
That kind of showing can harm a player's standing, but Luna has been able to overcome it.
"It depends on the talent," said La Russa. "It depends on injuries. If a guy is really not putting effort into it, that concerns us. If you've got alternatives, he's hexing himself. But we needed him. He did not distinguish himself in Triple-A -- but we needed him.
"He's had two solid Major League seasons, and it wouldn't surprise me if he went to Triple-A this year and did not distinguish himself again. But I would be surprised if he came up here and did not play pretty well."
At the moment, Luna's chances of at least making the roster look strong. His versatility is a plus for La Russa, and he has shown an ability to hit effectively even with limited playing time.
The greater question is whether he'll be a regular -- this year or ever. Luna knows the chance is there now.
"All I have to do is go and play hard every chance, whether it's practice or games," he said. "There is a bigger opportunity than before, more of a chance. If it's to play one position, or I can also play utility."
Albert Pujols is one of Luna's best friends on the team, and there aren't many better influences in terms of approaching the game. If Luna can begin to match Pujols' drive and dedication, he could be quite a ballplayer.
"I told him, you can have a solid career as a part-time player and make part-time money," La Russa said. "But if you want to be the everyday guy, then you're going to have to have that everyday tenacity like David Eckstein, Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, guys on the club that really grind it every day."

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Extra-inning rally lifts Cards to win

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:54:00 +0000

03/08/2006
Cardinals at the plate: Brian Daubach hit a three-run home run against Kyle Denney in the first inning. Chris Duncan hit a solo homer off Jim Crowell. Duncan scored from first in the 10th inning when John Gall singled to center and Marlon Byrd misplayed the ball in the outfield.
Nationals at the plate: Washington had the bases loaded in the fifth inning against John Webb, but he struck out Josh Labandeira to end the inning. Down 4-0, the Nationals tied the score at 4 in the ninth inning. Tyrell Godwin drove in two runs with a double, and Byrd knotted the score with a two-run single.
Cardinals on the mound: Chris Carpenter pitched four shutout innings and gave up only two hits. Webb, Tyler Johnson and Alan Benes combined to pitch four shutout innings. All four of Washington's ninth-inning runs were charged to Carmen Cali.
Nationals on the mound: Denney pitched four innings and gave up three runs on three hits. After giving up the three-run home run, Denney retired the next 10 hitters. Felix Rodriguez pitched one scoreless inning, while Steve Watkins pitched two shutout innings.
Grapefruit League records: Cardinals 3-4; Nationals 1-6-1.

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Notes: Cards add to Reyes' repertoire

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:54:00 +0000

03/09/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- As a Triple-A hurler last year, Anthony Reyes had the stuff, the command and the presence to succeed in the Major Leagues. He didn't have the repertoire, though.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan have Reyes working on a two-seam fastball this spring, giving him another look in addition to his four-seam fastball, curveball and changeup. Duncan and La Russa want Reyes to pitch down in the strike zone more often.
"If that's what they want me to do, then I'll do it," said Reyes. "Whatever they want me to do, I'll do. As long as I get a chance to be up here. I think it is a pitch that you need. You need ground balls. So I'm going to stay with it and hopefully it will turn out."
Reyes has a tendency to work up in the zone, thanks to the velocity and life of his riding four-seamer. But the sinking two-seamer is a sine qua non as far as the Cards are concerned. And if it means Reyes takes a few lumps while he learns it, so be it.
There will be no grading on a curve, even though the youngster is competing with the established Sidney Ponson for a rotation spot.
"He can't be successful without it," said La Russa. "How is that tough? It gives you your best chance. You can't pitch at the top of the zone -- I don't care how hard you throw.
"You don't get any points for trying. It will make him a better pitcher. He's a talented guy. He'll incorporate it."
Reyes showed improvement from his first start on Thursday. He allowed two runs on five hits in three innings, striking out three and walking one. He said that he threw more sinkers than four-seamers.
"It's tough," said Reyes. "When I throw those pitches, they get hit. It's pretty tough to go out there and do that. But I know it's going to be a good pitch for me and I really want it to work for me."
Edmonds closer, or not: Jim Edmonds is closer, "foot-wise," to making his first game appearance of the spring. Unfortunately, "calf-wise," he took a step back on Thursday. Edmonds is feeling some soreness in his left calf, which he believes may have resulted from favoring his bruised right foot.
Still, Edmonds may be closing in on a game appearance.
"I didn't really hurt it, it just got really tight from sprinting," said Edmonds.
"Everything's doing really good. I feel really good. The best thing about all this is I get to work out and get in better shape as I go. Stay strong. We're just being a little cautious."
Edmonds may play as soon as Saturday's home game against Baltimore.
Ponson's progress: Like Reyes, Ponson showed improvement from his first game appearance. But like Reyes, he's not where he wants to be yet. Ponson pitched four innings, allowing a run on three hits.
"I felt much better than my first start, but I'm still leaving the ball up," he said. "My mechanics aren't 100 percent there and I'm still leaving the ball up in the zone. It's only my second game, and it's better than it was the first game. That's always a good outlook on it."
Both right-handers will probably appear in Tuesday's game against the Yankees in Tampa. After that, though, it will be difficult for them to get their work in on the same day and other accommodations may need to be made.
Tough critic: Braden Looper came into the clubhouse clearly frustrated following his one-inning appearance on Thursday. Looper didn't look like someone who should be asked about how it went, so at first no one asked.
But Looper's results weren't bad at all. The right-hander pitched a hitless inning in which he walked one batter. That was much better than his first game, when he was hit hard.
"I'm not unhappy," he said. "You get frustrated when you feel what you're doing wrong and you can't make the adjustment. I ended up walking a guy and I shouldn't have walked a guy. I feel good physically, which is what I should take from it. It'll come. It's just a matter of time."
No breaks: The wind didn't do the Cardinals any favors in their 3-0 loss to Florida. Two balls that looked for all the world like home runs fell for doubles, as both Larry Bigbie and Scott Spiezio were cheated -- and their teammates noticed.
"Spiez, nice homer!" quipped Edmonds. "Too bad it was just a double."
Bits and pieces: The exhibition game between the Cardinals and Central Missouri State was canceled because the Cardinals didn't have enough pitchers. Central played another college team on Field 1 at Roger Dean Stadium. ... St. Louis did have one extra pitcher, so the Cards and Marlins played an extra inning in order for Juan Mateo to pitch. Bullpen catcher Jeff Murphy served as the umpire. ... John Rodriguez, who has been dealing with a sore shoulder, may return to game action on Friday.
Quotable: "He got quick outs because he left a lot of balls at the top of the strike zone, and that's what everybody wants to swing at. Luckily he got away with it. In April you don't get away with those." -- Duncan on Ponson
Weather report: It'll be one of the warmer days of the spring, with forecast highs of around 82 degrees in Port St. Lucie on Friday. There's a 20 percent chance of rain and you can expect to see a few clouds, but it's still quite nice.

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Ponson impresses in Cards' loss

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:53:00 +0000

03/09/2006
Marlins at the plate: Jason Stokes laced an RBI double to put Florida ahead in the second inning, and added a solo home run in the sixth. Hanley Ramirez also went deep, leading off the third with a long ball.
Cardinals at the plate: Scott Spiezio and Larry Bigbie each doubled to deep right-center, but a stiff right-to-left wind helped keep both balls in the park. Otherwise it was a fairly quiet day for the St. Louis offense.
Marlins on the mound: Starter Ricky Nolasco was effective for 2 2/3 shutout innings, allowing one base hit, no walks and striking out a pair. Harvey Garcia pitched a perfect fifth and Chris Resop was perfect in the seventh.
Cardinals on the mound: Anthony Reyes allowed two runs on five hits in three innings as the starter. Sidney Ponson was impressive in four innings, permitting a run on three hits.
Grapefruit League records: Marlins 6-1; Cardinals 3-5

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Gorecki looking for a breakout season

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:52:00 +0000

03/10/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Reid Gorecki expected 2005 to be the biggest season of his career. As it turns out, the campaign pales in importance compared to what '06 will mean.
It's hard to call a player's age-25 season a make-or-break campaign, but it's close to that for the former 13th-round draft pick. Last year, Gorecki entered Spring Training as the Cardinals' No. 11 prospect (according to Baseball America) -- a speedy outfielder with defensive skills and occasional power.
A year later, Gorecki doesn't find himself in the top 30 Cards prospects. He struggled mightily at Double-A Springfield before a demotion to Class A Palm Beach. Gorecki is in big-league camp again this year, having good at-bats and looking fine in the field, and trying to relax.
"I learned quite a bit from last year to this year," he said. "I learned a lot about our guys in this clubhouse and in the GM booth, and everywhere. They're pulling for me. They saw something they liked a couple years ago, something they liked when they drafted me, and I'm just waiting to show them that player again."
Gorecki was the center of attention for the new Springfield franchise last year. The Double-A team made him its signature player in its opening season. Unfortunately for player and team, Gorecki's performance didn't match the expectations.
He hit .182/.264/.277 (batting average/on-base/slugging) in 46 games for Springfield before eventually taking some time off and heading down to Palm Beach. Things clicked for him there, as he hit .286/.374/.457 after the demotion.
"I had my name in the paper," he said. "I was doing autograph signings and all that stuff. Not having done that before, not having someone to walk me through it, it was something that I had to kind of feel for myself.
"As a young player, you can only take so much pressure. I felt a ton of it on me. We were in a brand-new stadium. That team, we were supposed to do something up there. We were supposed to make a name for ourselves in the Texas League."
Given all that, Gorecki is understandably hesitant to put too much on himself as he enters 2006. But he knows how much it matters that he have a good year.
"I'm not looking too far ahead," he said. "I'm taking my old one-day-at-a-time approach. I had a poor year, but I finished it off all right. They say it's not how you start, it's how you finish. So I wasn't too displeased with my overall season. I was displeased with my early season. I'm just looking forward to starting up this season."

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Mulder, Cards shut down Mets

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:50:00 +0000

03/10/2006
Cardinals at the plate: Catcher Michel Hernandez drove in three runs, while former Met Brian Daubach and Junior Spivey had two RBIs each. St. Louis had three extra-base hits, two of them doubles by Daubach.
Mets at the plate: Jeff Keppinger had New York's lone extra-base hit, a double. David Wright had two hits to raise his spring average to .176. Lastings Milledge also had two hits.
Cardinals on the mound: Mark Mulder allowed four hits, one walk and one run in 3 2/3 innings. Adam Wainwright allowed two runs -- one earned -- in 3 2/3 frames.
Mets on the mound: Jeremi Gonzalez, who has a chance to make the team as the long man, worked three innings, allowing three runs -- one earned. The Mets made two of their three errors -- by Wright and Chris Woodward -- with Gonzalez pitching. Kaz Matsui committed an error in the fifth when the Cards scored three times against Mike Pelfrey, who was charged no earned runs.
Grapefruit League records: Cardinals 4-5; Mets 5-4.

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Notes: Edmonds makes spring debut

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:49:00 +0000

03/11/2006
JUPITER -- Jim Edmonds had two hits, an RBI, and caught the only ball hit his way in his 2006 debut for the St. Louis Cardinals, who defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 5-0, on Saturday at Roger Dean Stadium.
Not too shabby for the four-time All-Star, who has been nursing a bruised right foot and sore left calf since the start of Spring Training.
"Not at all," answered Edmonds when asked if he felt comfortable at the plate. "I was trying not to do too much. My first at-bat, I was just trying to see the ball, and the second at-bat, that made it easy just because I was trying to hit a fly ball because Scott [Rolen] was on third ... to score a run."
Edmonds was tested in the first inning, when Melvin Mora hit a drive into left-center field with one out and Corey Patterson on second base. Edmonds called off left fielder Larry Bigbie and caught the ball one-handed, but bobbled the ball in the transfer, and the umpire signaled an out. Edmonds said he was a bit discombobulated because he was using his game glove for the first time this season.
"I dropped it because I've been using a really small glove in batting practice every day," Edmonds said.
For the rest of his four innings at center field, Edmonds shuffled his feet and stretched his legs in center field between batters.
"Things are stiff and it's still my first day," Edmonds said. "I'm just worried about getting tight, so I move around a lot."
In his first at-bat, Edmonds fouled a pitch off the same sore spot on his right foot. He said the ball hit the plastic part of the cleat, luckily, and didn't hurt.
"I couldn't believe it hit that spot," Edmonds said.
It didn't affect his offensive performance. Edmonds followed with a sharp single to left, and, in the fourth, smoked an RBI double to left-center that scored Rolen, who also hit a double and stole third on the previous pitch. So Taguchi pinch-ran for Edmonds, who left the field to much applause.
Edmonds hopes a new approach helped him collect those two hits. He said he is trying to be less of a pull hitter this year; a mindset which he felt hindered him last season, in which he hit .263, an average he said is "not good enough for me."
"It messed up my whole season and ruined my mental approach [last year]," Edmonds said.
Edmonds, who felt fine after the game, will not play in Sunday's game against the Braves, but said he will most likely play on Monday and see how he feels after that.
Rolen collects first hits of spring: Rolen hit a double in the fourth inning for his first hit of the spring, and followed with an RBI single in the fifth. Rolen, who stole just five bases in the last two years, also stole third base after hitting the double before scoring on Edmonds' double.
"When [Rolen and Edmonds] play well, we're a better looking team," manager Tony La Russa said.
Duncan's up-and-down day: Chris Duncan started in right field and misplayed a fly ball in the first inning, allowing Corey Patterson to reach second base with a double. However, Duncan later drew two walks, hit a single and scored a run. He also switched to first base later in the game.
McGee back: Former Cardinals great Willie McGee arrived in Jupiter on Wednesday, and will be helping with the team through March 21.
"It's something I've done all my life," said McGee, 47.
McGee coaches his daughter's 12-and-under softball team in San Pablo, Calif., and also helps out with the baseball team at Contra Costa Community College.
Baseball balancing act: Cardinals Hall of Famer Bob Gibson and starting pitcher Jason Marquis joked before the game in the locker room about the rigors of balancing baseball with family life. "If [my wife] can find a way to make $5 million, then I'll be happy to stay home," Marquis said.
Dog lover La Russa: Before the game, La Russa was paid a visit by the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League in West Palm Beach to do a photo shoot. La Russa, wearing his Animal Rescue Foundation ("ARF") necklace, rolled around with Jake, an 8-year-old boxer up for adoption.

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Cardinals shut out Orioles

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:49:00 +0000

03/11/2006
Cardinals at the plate: Jim Edmonds opened the second inning with a sharp single to left, and in the fourth, smoked an RBI double to left-center that scored Scott Rolen, who also hit a double and stole third on the previous pitch. Rolen finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and catcher Gary Bennet had two hits and scored. David Eckstein was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Orioles at the plate: Corey Patterson had two hits, including a double, and Kevin Millar, Jeff Fiorentino, Brandon Fahey and Ryan Hubele each singled. Ed Rogers added a double.
Cardinals on the mound: Jason Marquis allowed four hits and walked one in three innings of work. Jason Isringhausen (1-0) pitched one hitless inning to get the win. Carmen Cali allowed one hit in his inning. Tyler Johnson and John Webb each struck out two batters in one-inning stints. La Russa said that Webb was "most impressive" and that he walked right through the Orioles batters.
Orioles on the mound: Hayden Penn allowed two hits and no runs while striking out two in three innings. Vic Darensbourg (0-2) allowed two runs on three hits and walked two in one inning.
Grapefruit League records: Cardinals (5-5), Orioles (2-8)

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Notes: Daubach battles for roster spot

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:42:00 +0000

03/12/2006
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With three weeks still left to go before Opening Day, Brian Daubach's chances of making the Cardinals roster are still up for debate.
But with six hits in his first 15 at-bats, Daubach has forced the Redbirds to consider him as a candidate to back up Albert Pujols; reason enough for the 34-year-old Belleville, Ill., native to smile.
"When you come to a new team and you're a non-roster guy, you've got to get off to a good start," said Daubach, who has homered twice and doubled twice in his last three games.
Once a mainstay in the Boston Red Sox lineup, Daubach has seen action only sparingly at the Major League level in the last few years. He starred last season at Triple-A Norfolk in the International League, leading the Mets organization with a .325 average, but was given only a brief look with the big-league club.
Even after regular first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz went down to injury, manager Willie Randolph instead gave playing time to veteran utility men such as Marlon Anderson and Chris Woodward, before finally settling on rookie Mike Jacobs to play down the stretch.
Jacobs hit 11 home runs in 100 at-bats, clearing the way for a trade to the Florida Marlins over the winter. And Daubach? He couldn't even get a September callup, calling the campaign "a wasted season."
"It was pretty disappointing," Daubach said, "because I'm somewhat proven. I've had some good years. For whatever reason, I didn't get that chance, so you just move on."
When Daubach left the Red Sox for the Chicago White Sox after the 2002 season, he scraped for playing time behind Paul Konerko and Frank Thomas. Returning to Boston in 2004, the Sox had things well in hand as they progressed toward their World Series win, snapping an 86-year title drought. And the Mets seemed to have no need for Daubach's services.
"But I haven't burned any bridges," Daubach said. "I want to stay in baseball long after my playing days. Sometimes there are hard situations to deal with, but you've just got to do the best you can. Sometimes biting your tongue is the best thing you can do."
He's hoping things turn around in St. Louis, where he will try to impress manager Tony La Russa enough to plead his case to become the Cards' left-handed bat off the bench and an option at first base or a corner outfield position.
"I'm just hoping I'll get an opportunity here," Daubach said. "Last year, I never really got comfortable. I'm the kind of guy who likes having a good time with my teammates, joking around with the guys and keeping guys loose."
Suppan looks super: Right-hander Jeff Suppan pitched well in his third start of the spring, limiting the Braves to a run on four hits over four innings. He said a major focus of his effort was to control his rhythm and stay consistent with his mechanics.
"I tried to really pick up my pace a little bit and go out and make pitches," Suppan said. "I went out with all my pitches today, including my cutter. I thought that was a big plus for me."
Suppan said he felt his location was better Sunday than it was in his first two starts of the spring, when he allowed nine runs to the Mets on March 2 and three runs to the Dodgers on March 7.
"He's a location and change of speeds pitcher," said pitching coach Dave Duncan. "It takes a little time during the spring to get all of your pitches going and get comfortable with them. He's doing good."
Later, the hurler laughingly reflected upon once enduring a season-long 0-for-44 slump, though he may be off to a better start in 2006. La Russa called a hit-and-run in Suppan's first at-bat of the spring, and Suppan delivered a single to center off Atlanta starter Chuck James in the third inning.
Suppan then had to run the bases, eventually making it to third base in a two-run Cardinals frame before taking the mound again in the fourth.
"Today was a good test," Suppan said.
It is the NL, after all: Cardinals pitchers will have plenty of chances to go through just what Suppan did on Saturday. La Russa said that St. Louis will opt to play by National League rules every chance they get for the remainder of Spring Training.
"Pitchers should get at least one at-bat," La Russa said.
Hello, Mateo: Rule 5 draftee Juan Mateo made his first appearance of the spring on Saturday, recording the final two outs of the sixth inning. Though it was just a sample, both La Russa and Duncan said they could see why the Cardinals drafted him.
The Cardinals had been reportedly unimpressed by the condition in which Mateo reported to camp, but he looked fine in getting Pete Orr to line out and Martin Prado to pop out.
"He shows you a good, live arm," Duncan said. "For what we're asking him to do, he's in shape to do that, as long as we don't push him."
Left out: The only Cardinals pitcher who came away from Saturday with a negative performance was Braden Looper, who allowed a three-run homer to Edgar Renteria and took the loss in St. Louis' 4-3 defeat.
"He made a mistake pitch and a clutch hitter took advantage," La Russa said. "He did some good things and then he made a mistake."
Duncan said the problem for Looper, who faced six batters and allowed four hits, is not velocity -- the scoreboard at Wide World of Sports flashed as high as 94 mph during Looper's two-out stint in the fifth inning.
Instead, Duncan said Looper must take care to resist throwing from directly over the top. When Looper is further down into an almost three-quarters arm slot, it improves his sinker, slider and split-finger pitch.
"He's not locating the ball where he needs to locate the ball," Duncan said.

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/

Mateo faces critical days in camp

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:41:00 +0000

03/12/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- It hasn't been a clear path for Juan Mateo, but as long as the right-hander is in camp, he still has a chance.
Mateo, acquired from the Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft last winter, made his closest thing to a game appearance yet on Thursday. He pitched an extra inning against the Marlins. The only thing was, the game wasn't tied -- so it was an inning created just so Mateo could get some live work.
Mateo arrived in camp late, due to visa problems. When he finally did arrive in Jupiter, his arm wasn't quite in the condition the club expected, so he has yet to pitch an inning of a Grapefruit League game when the scores really counted.
Still, Mateo hasn't been offered back to the Cubs yet, and the Cards do like his arm. The coming days may be critical as the Cards try to make a decision on him.
On the move: First baseman/outfielder Chris Duncan has drilled the ball all spring, and Duncan keeps getting at-bats as a result. He throttled a pair of majestic home runs this week. Duncan could force his way onto the roster if he keeps hitting.
On the calendar: The Cardinals Minor League affiliates begin playing games on Wednesday. The majority of the games will take place on the fields at Roger Dean Stadium, either against Marlins Minor Leaguers or against teams visiting from out of town. The complex is well-suited to host several games at once.
Names in the game: As a catcher and utility man, Danny Sheaffer spent parts of seven seasons in the big leagues -- the last three with the Cardinals. In his final two years, manager Tony La Russa moved Sheaffer all over the field, playing him at first, second, third, left and right as well as behind the dish. Now Sheaffer manages the Cardinals' Triple-A Memphis affiliate. Sheaffer's last year in the Major Leagues was 1997, and by 1999 he was managing in the Minors.
Stat machine: Minor League signee Brian Daubach has six hits this spring -- four of them for extra bases, including two home runs.
What they're saying: "I really do like Rule 5 guys. I love bringing them in. Somebody you put in a draft on, they have to have big league talent. And so it's really neat to put them through the drills." -- La Russa

Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/