Matt Holliday, John Smoltz and Ryan Franklin are among the St. Louis Cardinals players receiving well-deserved headlines for the club’s stirring 3-2 ninth-inning win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday at Busch Stadium. The win cut the Cards’ magic number for clinching their division to six.
Holliday’s walk-off home run deep to right field off Chicago reliever Aaron Heilman ended the game in the most dramatic fashion possible.
The long ball made the recently-struggling Franklin the winner after he fanned two in a scoreless top of the ninth, Bobby Scales and Jake Fox.
Holliday’s heroics accentuated another fine start by the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer Smoltz. Coming back after missing a turn with right shoulder tendinitis, the right-hander allowed just two runs on six hits and three walks in six innings of work.
Yet right-hander Kyle McClellan may have had the biggest night of all.
In his first of two scoreless innings of bullpen work in support of Smoltz on Friday, the 25-year-old second-year reliever fanned the side in the seventh. Cubs’ 1-2-3 hitters Ryan Theriot, Kosuke Fukodome and hot-hitting Derrek Lee were sat down in order.
It was the 17th time this season Cardinals hurlers retired the side via strikeout but perhaps the most impressive. Smoltz is the only one to have achieved the feat in consecutive innings, against San Diego in his St. Louis debut on August 23.
In 2009, McClellan has 15 holds, a 2.87 ERA and a .228 opposing batting average against in 62 2/3 innings over 61 games. He was the Cardinals Rookie of the Year in 2008.
Following are those who preceded McClellan this season.
Cardinals striking out the side, 2009
| Date | Pitcher | Opp | Batter | Score | Inn | RoB | Out | Play Desc. | |||
| 4/30/2009 | Mitchell Boggs | @WSN | Cristian Guzman | ahead | 2 | - | 0 | b 1 | — | 0 | Strikeout Swinging |
| Mitchell Boggs | @WSN | Adam Dunn | tied | 2 | - | 2 | b 1 | — | 1 | Strikeout Looking | |
| Mitchell Boggs | @WSN | Elijah Dukes | tied | 2 | - | 2 | b 1 | — | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 5/4/2009 | Dennys Reyes | PHI | Shane Victorino | down | 1 | - | 6 | t 7 | — | 0 | Strikeout Swinging |
| Dennys Reyes | PHI | Ryan Howard | down | 1 | - | 6 | t 7 | 1– | 1 | Strikeout Looking | |
| Kyle McClellan | PHI | Jayson Werth | down | 1 | - | 6 | t 7 | 1– | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 5/5/2009 | Adam Wainwright | PHI | Jayson Werth | down | 0 | - | 1 | t 2 | — | 0 | Strikeout Swinging |
| Adam Wainwright | PHI | Pedro Feliz | down | 0 | - | 1 | t 2 | — | 1 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| Adam Wainwright | PHI | Carlos Ruiz | down | 0 | - | 1 | t 2 | 1– | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 5/17/2009 | Todd Wellemeyer | MIL | Rickie Weeks | tied | 0 | - | 0 | t 1 | — | 0 | Strikeout Swinging |
| Todd Wellemeyer | MIL | Prince Fielder | tied | 0 | - | 0 | t 1 | -23 | 1 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| Todd Wellemeyer | MIL | Manny Parra | down | 0 | - | 4 | t 1 | 1-3 | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 5/18/2009 | Chris Perez | MIL | Mike Cameron | down | 0 | - | 4 | t 5 | -12 | 0 | Strikeout Swinging |
| Chris Perez | MIL | Corey Hart | down | 0 | - | 4 | t 5 | -12 | 1 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| Chris Perez | MIL | Braden Looper | down | 0 | - | 5 | t 5 | 123 | 2 | Strikeout Looking | |
| 6/10/2009 | Chris Perez | @FLA | Ronny Paulino | ahead | 10 | - | 4 | b 8 | — | 0 | Strikeout Looking |
| Chris Perez | @FLA | Chris Coghlan | ahead | 10 | - | 4 | b 8 | 1– | 1 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| Chris Perez | @FLA | Emilio Bonifacio | ahead | 10 | - | 4 | b 8 | 1– | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 6/17/2009 | Todd Wellemeyer | DET | Marcus Thames | ahead | 3 | - | 2 | t 6 | — | 0 | Strikeout Swinging |
| Jason Motte | DET | Brandon Inge | ahead | 3 | - | 2 | t 6 | 1– | 1 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| Jason Motte | DET | Gerald Laird | ahead | 3 | - | 2 | t 6 | 1– | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 7/1/2009 | Adam Wainwright | SFG | Travis Ishikawa | tied | 1 | - | 1 | t 9 | 1– | 0 | Strikeout Swinging, Renteria Steals 2B |
| Adam Wainwright | SFG | Juan Uribe | tied | 1 | - | 1 | t 9 | -2- | 1 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| Adam Wainwright | SFG | Fred Lewis | tied | 1 | - | 1 | t 9 | -2- | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 7/10/2009 | Chris Carpenter | @CHC | Mike Fontenot | ahead | 8 | - | 3 | b 6 | — | 0 | Strikeout Swinging |
| Chris Carpenter | @CHC | Koyie Hill | ahead | 8 | - | 3 | b 6 | — | 1 | Strikeout Looking | |
| Chris Carpenter | @CHC | Jeff Baker | ahead | 8 | - | 3 | b 6 | — | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 2009-07-12(2) | Ryan Franklin | @CHC | Milton Bradley | ahead | 4 | - | 2 | b 9 | — | 0 | Strikeout Looking |
| Ryan Franklin | @CHC | Jeff Baker | ahead | 4 | - | 2 | b 9 | — | 1 | Strikeout Looking | |
| Ryan Franklin | @CHC | Micah Hoffpauir | ahead | 4 | - | 2 | b 9 | — | 2 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Looking | |
| 7/21/2009 | Todd Wellemeyer | @HOU | Kazuo Matsui | down | 1 | - | 4 | b 5 | 3 | 0 | Strikeout Swinging |
| Josh Kinney | @HOU | Carlos Lee | down | 1 | - | 5 | b 5 | 1– | 1 | Strikeout Swinging, Tejada Steals 2B | |
| Josh Kinney | @HOU | Geoff Blum | down | 1 | - | 5 | b 5 | -2- | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 7/29/2009 | Joel Pineiro | LAD | Matt Kemp | down | 0 | - | 1 | t 5 | — | 0 | Strikeout Swinging |
| Joel Pineiro | LAD | Clayton Kershaw | down | 0 | - | 1 | t 5 | — | 1 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| Joel Pineiro | LAD | Orlando Hudson | down | 0 | - | 1 | t 5 | 1– | 2 | Strikeout Looking | |
| 8/12/2009 | Chris Carpenter | CIN | Wladimir Balenti | ahead | 3 | - | 0 | t 2 | — | 0 | Strikeout Looking |
| Chris Carpenter | CIN | Alex Gonzalez | ahead | 3 | - | 0 | t 2 | — | 1 | Strikeout Looking | |
| Chris Carpenter | CIN | Drew Sutton | ahead | 3 | - | 0 | t 2 | — | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 8/23/2009 | John Smoltz | @SDP | Kevin Kouzmanoff | ahead | 4 | 0 | b 2 | — | 0 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| John Smoltz | @SDP | Will Venable | ahead | 4 | - | 0 | b 2 | — | 1 | Strikeout Looking | |
| John Smoltz | @SDP | Nick Hundley | ahead | 4 | - | 0 | b 2 | — | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| John Smoltz | @SDP | Luis Rodriguez | ahead | 4 | - | 0 | b 3 | — | 0 | Strikeout Looking | |
| John Smoltz | @SDP | Edward Mujica | ahead | 4 | - | 0 | b 3 | — | 1 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| John Smoltz | @SDP | Everth Cabrera | ahead | 4 | - | 0 | b 3 | — | 2 | Strikeout Swinging | |
| 9/2/2009 | Jason Motte | MIL | Jason Kendall | ahead | 10 | - | 3 | t 8 | — | 0 | Strikeout Swinging |
| Jason Motte | MIL | J.J. Hardy | ahead | 10 | - | 3 | t 8 | — | 1 | Strikeout Looking | |
| Jason Motte | MIL | Felipe Lopez | ahead | 10 | - | 3 | t 8 | -2- | 2 | Strikeout Looking |
Thanks to Tom Orf for the above table.
So true Brian, and so timely. I thought the two pitches up and in to Theriot had a wonderful effect. He should remember to do that every game. Many great pitcher did.
The first hero was Smoltz. I have to believe he will be hurting after that performance. If Lohse shows up at all, I would be surprise if Smoltz starts another. He was working around a whimpering (not barking) shoulder it seemed………………………..Tony cleverly used Franklin in the 9th in a tie game. It worked out perfectly for all. Thats why Tony is good. He has a good measure for what a player has to have to gain confidence.
McClellan had a strong first half during his rookie year, but tired late in 2008. This year, he has rebounded and been solid. We rely on him after departure of the veteran Springer, so its good Kyle has not endured a sophmore slump.
Last winter, some were fearful about Franklin serving as closer. Maybe the Cards were too, since they wooed Brian Fuentes. Subsequently, Franklin has had a fantastic season and despite recent doubters, he continues to get the job done.
I remember when the Cards re-up’d Franklin in late 2007. A bunch of fans wanted us to dump in a trade for prospects. They thought Ryan just another mythic “replacement” level player, easily found, like sand on a beach. The Cards were smart to take a chance on Franklin after he had a mediocre year in relief for Cinci and to retain him in 2007.
Miller has had a fine year too. And Reyes has been pitching well. Pitching has played a big part in this year’s campaign.
Most impressive scoring 3 on only 6 baserunners, offense has not been very efficient lately. Basically, relied on pitching to win. Hope niether Wainy nor Carp has to take a 2-1 loss this weekend.
Memphis swept to the PCL title. The Cards are in a pretty good situation in terms of homegrown depth, given a broad pool of talent at AAA. For starting pitching candidates for 2010, Parisi should return, while Lynn, Hearne, and Dickson are possiblilities from AA. Ottavino, Walters, Boggs, Garcia can compete for St Louis or pitch in Memphis. Good depth.
For OF, there are Shorey, Robinson, Jay, Stavinoha, Craig, with Henley, Hill and Brown up from AA and Mather looking to rebound, 9 possibilities.
# Schumaker, 2B
# Rasmus, CF
# Pujols, 1B
# Holliday, LF
# Ludwick, RF
# DeRosa, 3B
# Molina, C
# Ryan, SS
# Carpenter,
I hope this line up is about promoting Colby to a bunting speed guy. Two lefties and seven righties.
I would rather see Colby at 6, Ryan at two. Ryan seems to be able to play a role if you pressure him enough. Lets hope Tony forces some structure and responsibility on Rasmus instead of just hoping he pops one. Bunts, hit and run etc;
I wouldn’t count on the bunting speed guy thing from Tony. Given the choice, he likes a lefty batting second, the idea being to pull it to the right side if the leadoff is on base. Less chance of a DP if 1st baseman is holding a runner, better chance of advancing runner if he’s on second. That consideration is probably why Ankiel was in 2 hole the other day. He liked Duncan there too.
TLR does not want anyone stealing with Pujols or Holliday at the plate.
Rasmus must not want to play high on base percentage ball. The Cards probably wanted him to do so for his first couple of years, but Rasmus is charting his own course.
Ryan’s role today was RBIs. Good work. Magic # to 4.
Jumbo, you are not technically correct in that its ok with Tony for Albert to steal with Holliday at the plate.
The goal for Sunday should be A) for the offense to score enough runs so that B) a save op does not arise. If we could stomp Zambrano into paste so much the better.
Anything Albert wants to do is ok with TLR, Mo, and DeWitts. If Albert wants him and Yadier to pilfer bases, then its cool.
Missed the game yesterday. Went to a 100th birthday part. That is a trip. They made a 45 min movie which was very interesting talking about the beginning if the mechanize era and how it was so difficult for North Dakota folks to deal with the complexities of farm machinery and cars and such. Sorry to say BB that Norton is in the hospital and the referee is starting to count him down.
I have no concerns about death, but it sucks to be sick while your looking at it.
I would say by doing a Jumbo on the box score that my prognostications were about right. Including Ryan. I’m looking for a ruff house game tonight. I hope its not us getting injured. Wainwright has a clear path to a career goal. I hope he throws a few more fastball and achieves a lower pitch count and workload………………….. It is likely that Zabrano hits someone early. Why not. So I’m looking for a contentious atmosphere. I would look for DeRosa to sit and Ankiel to play.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/313E9A22C26AF92D86257636000A51E3?OpenDocument
Read this. Read Hals response.
Westy, I was with my dad for his 85th yesterday and conversation turned to when we saw Norton together, along with my then 3or 4 yr old son at the SF blues festival around ’87. A mishap had caused us to miss Elvin and we thought we missed Norton too but we were confused, he was performing with somebody else so we caught the act. Dad wasn’t into the scene but enjoyed the outing. Memories. The three of us, and my 2 yr old grandson will be at the game today creating more.
Great BB. Norton played allot with Steve Miller, Dobbie Brothers. He had his own band too called the Knockouts. Elvin’s drunk again is one of the great solos of all time, right up there with Clapton’s Sleepy Time Baby with the early Cream. Norton is so much more than a blues player. He want to explore classicism……..We were preparing Schubert and Piazzola. Life can suck a bit……..at times…………Wince.
The Cards have the second lowest OPS against lefties in the NL. They will have their hands full against LHPs in the playoffs. Its reality.
Lugo is an upgrade offensively at 2B against lefties. Another way to help against LHPs is to DL Glaus and start Freese at 3B.
Another possibility is move Ludwick to center against LHPs, shift Holliday to RF if he has ever played there, and insert Allan Craig in LF. However, TLR would not do this, since it weakens all three OFs defensively.
The offense makes much smoke but little fire. Cubs faced 3 former/future Cy Youngs/HOFers and outscored us for the series.
I came away from the series concerned about three things.
1) losing record against winning teams
2) pusillanimous hitting with RISP
3) another blown save
Running up big numbers against doormats earlier will help with race for home field advantage, and makes for good stats. Won’t help next month.
“They may think………. they can pitch to us”.
Turns out Ludwick forgot his chicken foot mojo with the bases juiced.
Good news is Lohse goes up against Wandy. …………… That means he has to hold them below 2 and pray we look at allot of pitches so he can rest between innings. This should be the introduction of the “Tony isn’t afraid of lefties” lineup………..My hunch is that we see Lugo and DeRo up front. He seems to be leaving Ryan in the “no pressure” area at 8th…… thats a wild guess though.
I almost wonder if Hal was misquoted there Westy. He’s saying that hitting discipline isn’t a problem because if the hitters would excersize hitting discipine it wouldn’t be a problem. He should be pitching Aflac with Yogi.
There may be a trend here BB. He is possibly a poor communicator. I’m sure he is well intentioned. Unfortunately, if your students suck, its time to close the school, or change the curriculum.
Corporal punishment worked well with me, but I suppose thats out of the question.
Ankiel, Rasmus, and Ludwick all looked very ugly late in the game yesterday. It’s as if they were trying to miss the ball.
TLR came up with an interesting idea tonight against the southpaw, Wandy. Bench both Rasmus and Ankiel, and move Skip to center and bat him 8th. This may be a modest improvement. Ankiel is not hitting anyone while Rasmus does not do much with lefties. Both can think about the errors of their ways from the bench. Meanwhile TKR unplatoons Skip. He does not hit lefties much either, but is a gamer you like to keep in the lineup. Skip will at least try to do something useful by getting on base, instead of swinging for the fences.
blingboy says:
September 17th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
If need be TLR can do something as outlandish as make Wainy the closer for 06 WS (or start Reyes in game 1),he could also send Schu back to the outfield.
When I mentioned this I wasn’t thinking specifically that it could be Tony’s response to the lefty problem, but I think Jumbo’s right. The purpose of the move to 2nd was to make room for a bat in the outfield, which hasn’t been happening against lefties, so why not move him back.
Also worthy of note is Tony moving Schu back to second mid-game in a defensive move. Who would have thought that at beginning of season.