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[KBCraig]

Let's hire Eckstein back at SS!

[sdcforever]

^He'd be an upgrade, that's for sure.

Too bad we wasted a fantastic start by Carp.  His ERA for the year is still 0.00.

Albert looked bad on his full count strike out in the 8th with a RISP.  I actually think he guessed right on the pitch and was trying to foul it off in hopes that he would see a better pitch to hit.  Unfortunately, it was way too far off the plate.  The way the offense is going Albert's pressing, especially in those situations.  It's not like he could've counted on Duncan to have a decent at-bat if he drew a walk in that situation.   It'll be better once Ankiel is fully recovered and Ludwick comes back on Friday; Luddy feels really comfortable in the 4 slot hitting behind Albert.  Maybe the Cards' offense can get in a rhythm again like they were in April when Ankiel and Ludwick were healthy and hitting.  Albert sure saw more pitches to hit, and that always helps.  The Cards haven't scored six or more runs in a game since May 10, and it's been 61 innings since they scored more than two runs in an inning.

[KBCraig]

Stavinoha did pretty good in Ludwick's slot tonight. And we're back in the lead!

[sdcforever]

^Yeah, I watched the game yesterday.  It'll be nice to have Ludwick back in the 4 slot and hopefully Ankiel back in the lineup too after our off day today.  Man, Albert has looked exhausted the past couple of days.  I hope he takes advantage off the off day today.  He's had a lot on his shoulders with both Ankiel and Ludwick out, and it's really started to show.

[Zephon]

Some tough decisions coming up with the return of those guys.  Who do you send back down?  Thurston most likely, but who's next?  Barden, Stavi, Tyler Greene?  They've all made contributions to keep us in the hunt.  Frankly, I'd almost rather keep those guys and just give Khalil Greene his release, or at least trade him for a prospect.  He just doesn't seem to want it bad enough.

[KBCraig]

Greene has been pretty disappointing.

I hate to release anyone, but he'd be my first choice, offensively.

[Zephon]

Well, Khalil is on the DL now, some kind of mental disorder, so I guess they're gonna try and get him some help.  OK by me.  He can't help us til he gets straightened out.  Meanwhile, with Luddy and Ankiel back, giving them a little time to get their timing back, maybe our offense will pick up.  I'd like to see us scoring runs like we did in April.

Bad loss today, we had so many scoring chances but couldn't get the timely hit.  Lot's of guys left on base.  One game back of the Brewers now.  Hang in there boys.

[sdcforever]

^With Luddy hitting behind him the past 3 games Albert is 7 for 11.  Definitely makes a difference!

[KBCraig]

"Social anxiety disorder", according to the Post-Dispatch.

[KBCraig]

Man, what is up with getting hammered by the Rockies?

[sdcforever]

^It's getting further into the season and it's pretty obvious that we are not very good.  I think April was just an oddity with everything clicking at once.  The same thing happened last year.  We started out hot and got 10 games over .500, but then could never get past that and played .500 ball the rest of the way.  We got to 10 games over .500 at the end of April this year and have played around .500 ball ever since.  The only hitter in our lineup that anyone fears at all is Albert.  All of our other hitters in the lineup have not had good seasons more than one season (Ankiel and Ludwick had good years last year, and everyone else is really young and never had to play everyday).  Our pitching has come back down to earth.  We're playing the Rockies but they're hammering us as if they're a dynasty baseball team in a video game!  The past 3 games they're averaging over 9 runs and 11 hits a game!!   Hopefully we can play better tomorrow afternoon.  Thompson's pitching against Marquis.  But, to be honest, most days the past 3 weeks or so we've made the opposing pitcher look like a legitimate Cy Young contender, no matter their record coming in.

I think our pitching can hold its own in the long run (we do need a long reliever), but we desperately need a third baseman with some pop to liven up our offense.  I'd actually prefer a third baseman that can also fill in at various positions (like shortstop and the outfield).  If we don't get someone in the next few weeks we'll be in big trouble.

[Swoosh]

Rockies are looking pretty good right now.

[KBCraig]

Swept by the Rockies.

/hanging head in shame

At least my local indy team, the Texarkana Gunslingers, swept their home stand and are tied for first in the CBL at 10-5.

I love local independent minor league baseball!

[sdcforever]

^We haven't been swept yet.  This is a four game series, so we can still salvage a game this afternoon.

More depressing stats about this team in the Post-Dispatch today:  "It has been one month since the Cardinals had one-inning rallies of three or more runs in consecutive games. In their previous 225 innings, the Cardinals have just three individual innings where they've scored three or more runs. The Rockies entered this series with the third-worst ERA in the National League at 4.75, and no team had allowed a batting average higher than their .285 against. The Cardinals have hit .200 in this series. They have one hit with a runner in scoring position."

Let's put it this way:  If Albert Pujols decided to take a week off right now we might not score a run the entire week.

[sdcforever]

I'm watching the ninth inning of what will be a four game sweep by the Rockies at home.  FSMW is replaying it tonight, but it's not worth watching unless you're really a diehard Cards fan and must watch every game.  This was the first four game sweep against us at home since 1994--the Rockies did it then too.

13 of our next 16 games are on the road.  The next three weeks could be very, very ugly.  This game was so bad that a pitchout was called and no one covered 2B so the throw sailed into the outfield.