St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has resumed driving in runs.
Coming off a 7-for-72 pre-break slump which saw his batting average drop to an embarrassingly-low .223, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was due for a turn of luck. Thursday and Friday marked just the second time this season, and the first time since late April, that Molina had had back-to-back multi-hit games.
In the first contest following the All-Star Game, Molina knocked in two runs, followed by four on Friday, when he hit a two-run home run and added a single. It was the catcher’s second four-RBI game this season and fifth in his career. 17 times since Tony La Russa became manager in 1996 a Cardinals catcher has driven in at least four.
Thanks to Tom Orf for the data that follows, which indicate the most RBI by a Cardinals catcher in a single game since at least 1920 is seven, by Ken O’Dea on May 3, 1942. Ted Simmons had 25 four-RBI contests between 1971 and 1980.
Four or more RBI games, St. Louis Cardinals catchers, since 1920
| Player | Date | Opp | Rslt | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | IBB | SO |
| Yadier Molina | 7/16/2010 | LAD | W 8-4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yadier Molina | 4/5/2010 | CIN | W 11-6 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Yadier Molina | 8/22/2008 | ATL | W 18-3 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Jason LaRue | 6/29/2008 | KCR | W 9-6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gary Bennett | 8/27/2006 | CHC | W 10-6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Yadier Molina | 8/7/2006 | CIN | W 13-1 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yadier Molina | 5/25/2005 | PIT | W 11-5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Matheny | 6/27/2004 | KCR | W 10-3 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Matheny | 8/2/2003 | NYM | W 10-9 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Mike Matheny | 4/8/2003 | COL | W 15-12 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Eli Marrero | 7/19/2002 | PIT | L 9-12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Eli Marrero | 5/25/2002 | PIT | W 6-3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Matheny | 5/20/2000 | PIT | W 19-4 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eli Marrero | 4/20/2000 | SDP | W 14-1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tom Lampkin | 4/9/1998 | COL | W 7-5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tom Lampkin | 4/7/1998 | COL | W 12-11 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tom Pagnozzi | 5/17/1996 | COL | L 11-12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tom Pagnozzi | 6/18/1994 | PIT | W 9-0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hector Villanueva | 6/3/1993 | CIN | W 9-2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tom Pagnozzi | 5/26/1991 | NYM | W 14-4 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Todd Zeile | 6/15/1990 | MON | L 4-7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Todd Zeile | 4/13/1990 | PHI | W 11-0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tony Pena | 8/22/1989 | ATL | W 10-5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tony Pena | 8/8/1987 | PHI | W 9-5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tom Pagnozzi | 5/17/1987 | CIN | W 10-2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Mike Heath | 6/21/1986 | PHI | W 8-6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mike Heath | 5/31/1986 | CIN | W 11-2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Darrell Porter | 7/18/1984 | SFG | W 8-4 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Darrell Porter | 5/7/1984 | LAD | W 5-1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Darrell Porter | 1983-07-04 (2) | PIT | W 11-4 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Darrell Porter | 5/30/1983 | CIN | W 9-1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jamie Quirk | 5/29/1983 | HOU | W 7-3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Darrell Porter | 5/10/1983 | SFG | W 8-4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gene Tenace | 8/23/1982 | LAD | W 11-3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Darrell Porter | 9/17/1981 | MON | W 7-4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 9/25/1980 | PIT | W 10-2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 9/2/1980 | CIN | W 12-4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ted Simmons | 8/6/1980 | PHI | W 14-0 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 5/9/1980 | LAD | W 15-7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 5/2/1980 | HOU | W 9-1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Terry Kennedy | 1979-07-01 (1) | PHI | W 13-7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ted Simmons | 6/11/1979 | LAD | W 9-7 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 4/27/1977 | CHC | W 21-3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 4/20/1977 | NYM | W 4-2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joe Ferguson | 1976-09-15 (1) | NYM | W 7-0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 9/7/1975 | NYM | W 12-4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 8/23/1975 | ATL | W 7-2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 5/17/1975 | SFG | W 17-2 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 4/17/1975 | NYM | L 7-14 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 9/22/1974 | CHC | W 6-5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 8/9/1974 | LAD | W 5-3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 5/17/1974 | CHC | W 9-8 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 5/15/1974 | NYM | W 10-1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 7/31/1973 | MON | W 10-5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 7/2/1973 | PHI | W 7-4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 6/27/1973 | PIT | W 15-4 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 6/6/1973 | SDP | W 6-3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 9/15/1972 | PIT | W 10-4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 6/10/1972 | SDP | W 5-2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 5/18/1972 | CHC | L 4-6 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Ted Simmons | 5/10/1972 | HOU | L 7-10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Ted Simmons | 7/11/1971 | HOU | W 7-3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jerry McNertney | 5/26/1971 | CHC | W 9-4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joe Torre | 6/27/1970 | PHI | W 9-8 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tim McCarver | 4/26/1969 | PHI | W 10-4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tim McCarver | 6/14/1967 | PIT | W 7-4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tim McCarver | 8/16/1965 | MLN | L 8-10 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tim McCarver | 1963-06-09 (2) | NYM | W 10-4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carl Sawatski | 5/9/1962 | SFG | W 7-3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jimmie Schaffer | 6/30/1961 | CHC | W 11-4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Hal Smith | 1960-06-26 (2) | PHI | W 4-3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hal Smith | 9/22/1959 | LAD | W 11-10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Hal Smith | 5/9/1959 | CHC | W 11-1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hal Smith | 5/17/1958 | LAD | W 10-1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hal Smith | 9/3/1957 | CIN | W 14-4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hal Smith | 5/8/1957 | NYG | W 13-4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Walker Cooper | 8/3/1956 | BRO | W 11-8 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bill Sarni | 6/2/1956 | PHI | L 4-6 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bill Sarni | 4/19/1956 | CIN | L 9-10 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bill Sarni | 6/6/1954 | PHI | L 8-11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Del Rice | 6/23/1953 | NYG | W 15-8 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Del Rice | 8/7/1951 | PIT | W 16-7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Del Rice | 1950-07-19 (1) | NYG | W 18-4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Joe Garagiola | 1950-05-28 (2) | CIN | W 7-2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Del Rice | 8/14/1948 | PIT | W 6-3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Del Wilber | 8/2/1948 | NYG | W 21-5 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Del Rice | 5/20/1948 | BRO | W 13-4 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Joe Garagiola | 4/30/1948 | CIN | W 13-7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Del Rice | 8/19/1947 | BRO | W 11-3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Del Rice | 8/5/1947 | CHC | W 8-2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | |
| Ken O’Dea | 1944-06-21 (2) | CHC | W 7-2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Walker Cooper | 1943-08-22 (1) | BSN | W 6-1 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Walker Cooper | 1943-06-20 (1) | CHC | W 10-9 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Walker Cooper | 1943-05-23 (1) | NYG | W 6-5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Walker Cooper | 5/18/1942 | NYG | W 16-4 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Ken O’Dea | 1942-05-03 (1) | BRO | W 14-10 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2 | |
| Don Padgett | 7/30/1940 | BSN | W 13-5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Mickey Owen | 5/29/1940 | CHC | W 8-2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Mickey Owen | 1939-08-06 (1) | PHI | W 11-0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Don Padgett | 7/27/1939 | NYG | W 9-4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Don Padgett | 7/26/1939 | NYG | W 10-0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Mickey Owen | 7/24/1937 | BRO | W 20-2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Spud Davis | 9/11/1935 | PHI | W 10-2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bill DeLancey | 7/18/1935 | BSN | W 13-3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Bill DeLancey | 9/30/1934 | CIN | W 9-0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Spud Davis | 7/29/1934 | PIT | W 9-5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Spud Davis | 7/7/1934 | CIN | W 10-4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bill DeLancey | 1934-05-30 (1) | CIN | W 9-6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Spud Davis | 4/26/1934 | PIT | W 10-1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Gus Mancuso | 6/29/1932 | CIN | W 10-9 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Gus Mancuso | 1931-07-04 (1) | PIT | L 8-9 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Jimmie Wilson | 4/18/1931 | CHC | W 7-5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Gus Mancuso | 9/23/1930 | PHI | W 19-16 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Gus Mancuso | 8/22/1930 | PHI | W 10-8 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Jimmie Wilson | 1930-08-17 (2) | NYG | W 14-4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Jimmie Wilson | 7/9/1930 | PIT | W 7-6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Jimmie Wilson | 8/3/1929 | BSN | W 7-5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Jimmie Wilson | 7/13/1928 | NYG | W 11-6 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Frank Snyder | 9/19/1927 | PHI | W 12-5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Johnny Schulte | 5/29/1927 | CIN | W 11-3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bob O’Farrell | 5/21/1926 | PHI | W 12-4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Mike Gonzalez | 4/29/1924 | CIN | W 6-3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Eddie Ainsmith | 4/28/1922 | CHC | W 11-3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Verne Clemons | 8/23/1921 | NYG | W 10-7 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Verne Clemons | 8/7/1921 | BSN | W 11-0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Verne Clemons | 6/10/1920 | BRO | W 9-3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
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Yadi has a 3 game hitting streak.
It’s one thing to drive in runs and quite another to be the difference in a game. Were it not for his 4 RBI on Friday, we would have been tied and forced to go into extra innings. Not only that, Yadier had figured in both of today’s run-scoring rallies. Indeed, Yadier Molina is climbing out of his slump in a resounding and most meaningful way!
Well 57, if Yadi keeps it up I guess we will have someone reminding us who was right all along.
Colby looked rather bad today. Must be that tired leg syndrome. I’m going to try using that to get out of mowing the lawn tomorrow. I wish the batting fairy would show back up with milk and cookies and set him to rights again.
I’m guessing Brendan might start.
“Well 57, if Yadi keeps it up I guess we will have someone reminding us who was right all along.”—Huh? Who?
As hard as we rode Yadier, blingboy, I suppose we deserve crdswmn’s justifiable gloating!
“Colby looked rather bad today”?
Here are the chief offense stats of the Los Angeles series so far…
Most H – 5 Holliday/Molina
Most R – 3 Pujols
Most BB – 4 Holliday
Most SO – 5 Rasmus
Most LOB – 9 Rasmus, 7 Pujols, 5 Holliday
There have been only 7 extra base hits and Molina is the only one to homer
Average (those with at least 9 AB)…
.555 Holliday
.455 Molina
.364 Lopez
.308 Pujols
.181 Rasmus
Just as I suspected 57, nice work.
With Supp going today, we need everybody to leave the dolls and teacups at home and show up with bats and gloves.
It shall be incumbent upon our boppers to supply the difference today…
Hitherto in this series, the offense has been doing the job without any long ball clout from our Big Boppers. Yesterday, their 2 runs were all that was needed: But then, we had Adam on the mound and not Jeff. The “bottom line” today, based on all 5 of Suppan’s appearances, is the absolute necessity for us to score at least 5 runs. Since the small-ballers cannot be expected to manufacture the 7 and 8 runs that they did on Thursday and Friday (respectively), it shall be incumbent upon Colby, Albert and Matt to supply the difference today.
Vincente Padilla has been awesome, not giving-up more than 2 runs in each of his last four starts! While righties are batting .274 against him, he is death on lefties (.137)! On the other hand, Jeff Suppan represents nothing more than Batting Practice to both righties (.368) and lefties (.365)! What is worse, he’s given up a home run in all, but one, of his 5 brief appearances. Assuming that our small-ballers will succeed in tapping Padilla for the 2 runs that he usually allows, it shall be incumbent indeed upon Colby, Albert and Matt to supply the difference today.
Maybe we’ll see Winn, Craig and Miles.
In deference to Padilla’s mastery over lefties, I would not be a bit surprised to see Winn starting in Centerfield, Craig starting in Rightfield and Miles starting at 2nd Base…
At a most crucial juncture, this must be the weakest line-up that Tony has presented in quite a while! With Yadier finally revving-up, he takes him out! On a day of most desperate need of the long ball, he takes Albert out! On a day when we need the least risk of a light-hitter, he takes Tyler out and inserts Ryan! My! MY! There must surely be all kinds of things going on the mind of a wizard that are beyond my grasp…
I can only hope that the sorry line-up represents a classic ESPN mistake…
3b Lopez
cf Jay
1b Craig
lf Holliday
rf Winn
2b Schumaker
c LaRue
p Suppan
ss Ryan
I expected Yadi not to play. But this lineup looks like TLR decided he wanted to lose.
Amen, crdswmn… Sending our weakest pitcher out with the weakest line-up possible to support him is tantamount to sending a soldier out to the battlefield with no weapons! Is it that Tony wants to guarantee Suppan’s failure or is it that Tony doesn’t want to embarrass Joe Torre with a four game sweep? Can it possibly be that Tony wants to insult those who purchased a ticket for this Sunday game, by denying them the pleasure of seeing two of the team’s greatest stars?
After studying the lineup I can see some reasoning behind it. Albert has not been his best during this series. Neither has Colby. TLR frequently gives Yadi a rest, most often on Sunday games and when Suppan is pitching. The reason for Brendan starting is anybody’s guess.
However, just because I can see some logic behind it doesn’t mean I like it. I think it is a recipe for disaster. At this juncture, disaster is the last thing we need.
I can see taking Colby out, not because of poor performance, but because Padilla is so strong against lefties. The logical choice, then, would be to place Winn in Centerfield. While it is true that Albert hasn’t been at his best, this particular game is much too crucial (for several reasons) to justify taking him out. This line-up definitely represents “a recipe for disaster” and we can only hope that our guys are not too demoralized to find some way to surmount the manager’s gross lapse in judgment…
If YOU were at Busch stadium this afternoon, having spent a small fortune of your hard-earned money to cheer your team, how happy and understanding would you be?
I would be very disappointed 57. I had doubts about our ability to win this game before. After seeing this lineup. I am resigned to it.
I had hopes for this game, crdswmn, but those hopes have been trashed… We will nevertheless watch whatever horrors that will likely unfold, because we are true fans.
While it is true that the loss of poor Loney represents a blow to the Dodgers, he is by no means the warp and woof of that team. The Dodgers are bona fide competitors, with depth, and are just as formidable today as they were yesterday…
So far (two batters), Jeff has been successful in keeping the pitches down…
Despite the fly-ball out, a 7-pitch first inning is a very encouraging start!
Loney expected to play but it was wise for the Dodgers to keep him out.
I’m a cynic. The disaster will occur soon enough.
That was a 10-pitch At Bat: Jon (a lefty) is not supposed to put up such a battle against the mighty Padilla.
I’m liking those fly-ball outs: It’s just a matter of time until they start fallin’ where they ain’t…
Remember Jeff’s 7-pitch first inning? That was an 8-pitch At Bat (resulting in a dangerous fly-ball out deep into rightfield)…
Belliard’s mannerisms remind me of a gangster street-thug: For some reason, I am surprised that his cap is not on backyard and he’s not wearing his britches down over his butt…
The question is, with a ground-out to second, how did DeWitt wind-up on second?
With my comments about Belliard, did I just commit a classic Howard Cosell?
I won’t tell anyone 57.
The 7-pitch inning was followed-up by a 19-pitch inning, but there was no harm done: So far, so good…
That was Matt’s 5th walk of the series…
Winn does most of his damage against righties: Let’s hope this is one of his good days…
CrIag has been really unlucky this year but a .087 hitting 3rd?
How was it possible for Matt to get doubled off first? Damn it!
Good observation, crdswmn! A .087 hitting third is only one of the many questionable things about this particular sorry line-up…
The lineup isn’t so bad. Craig can singles as well as Albert. Winn strikes out less than Colby. Larue is hitting 36 pts less than Yadi. I would have used Miles instead of Skip against the lefty.
The decent thing about that 5-pitch strikeout of the catcher (a weak hitter) is that all the pitches were low… It appears that Jeff is finally responding to Duncan’s wisdom…
I love your optimism and contagious cognizant dissonance, blingboy!
“The question is, with a ground-out to second, how did DeWitt wind-up on second?”
It was a DP but the runner beat the throw at second.
Although Jeff’s pitch count is high, I am seeing a distinct improvement (emanating from the fact that he is now keeping most of his pitches low)…
I don’t know what cognizant dissonance is 57, if it means smart, rich and good looking I’m afraid you struck out.
I was afraid that the answer would be such, blingboy…
Yeah, that’s PRECISELY what it is and, yeah, I done struck out!
Actually, cognizant dissonance = “making lemonade from lemons” and “the attempt to make something positive from something which is terribly negative”
My mentality is wide-open for such things as Gallows Humor and cognitive dissonance: That’s why I remarked that it was “contagious”!
Damn man at the door made me miss the last at bat. What did Lopez do?
Meek grounder to second
Suppan threw a 68 mph pitch, last inning Padilla threw one 58.
He grounded out, crdswmn…
I absolutely LOVE that description; “meek grounder”!!!
It was nice to see Brendan get a hit. Too bad it was wasted.
Wow! We actually executed a DP!
Cards turned a nice DP there 57. Craig fielded it and stepped on the base then threw to second for the tag. Looked like Albert out there.
Isn’t it ironic that the ONLY Cardinal hit was made by the weakest Cardinal hitter? There must be some sort of commentary somewhere in that fact…
Now, let’s see Craig do an Albert at the plate, as well as he does an Albert on the field…
Wouldn’t it be sweet if Brendan were starting to snap out of it. From here on out, if we had a .285 hitting gold glove SS what a difference that would make.
‘Twould be sweet indeed!
By the way, Craig’s fly-ball deep into Centerfield was the furthest hit ball so far today…
Padilla is throwing from 96 mph down to 60.
That was Matt’s 6th walk of the series…
Padilla is evidently a master of the change-up
Another walk by Matt wasted.
When you get too hungry, you attempt a steal when there are two outs…
Supp floated one in to Belliard at the letters and out over the plate. Got spanked good.
Got Belliard on the force, hit to slow to get the DP.
Got that one up to Ellis too. Starting to get a little scary here.
57, Lopez was in against the bunt, Padilla hit a high bouncer down the line that bounced too high for Lopez and went on down towards the corner and was cut off by Holliday to keep the second runner from scoring.
Just now Winn came on strong, made the catch in good position ready to throw so the runner stayed at third.
it could be worse.
Nice play by Skip on a grounder up the middle, just got him at first. Really a heck of a job by all getting out of that with just one run.
One run through five. Supp did his job.
Ya gotta admit, this has been Jeff’s best outing so far: He’s only given-up one run in 5 innings. The shame is that we are facing a pitcher who is shutting us out on a one-hitter…
Including Game 3 of last year’s playoff, Padilla has now shut out the Cards at home for 11 innings on 5 hits. He is a handful.
That was a 51 mph curve ball that got Skip. Looked like a bloop pitch.
When it comes to lefties, Padilla chews ‘em up and spits ‘em out…
That was Colby’s 6th strikeout of the series…
We are going for a lot of pitches out of the zone.
A bases-loaded walk rally! I dare you to walk Matt NOW, Padilla!
I’ll have a frosty one, with salami on the side.
Why did Matt swing at the first pitch? Dammit.
Pshawwwwwwww
right on crdswmn, guy can’t throw strikes
THAT, my friends, was a MAJOR disappointment!
This is the day that we needed our Boppers most to finally do their thing. Tony gives poor Jeff only one Bopper and what does he do?
This is not a very convenient time for Mitchell to have an overdue bad outing…
At least the Reds lost.
Aye, since Tony won’t help us, lo, we turn to the Rockies…
“Roy Oswalt, maybe the most accomplished pitcher available on the trade market, was hit in the ankle with a line drive early in his Sunday start. He tried to continue, but couldn’t. It is unknown at this point if the injury is a bruise or something worse”
bnd.com
I’m sure that the ramifications of that are more disturbing for him personally, than for any of the clubs trying to arrange for his salary…
MacLane’s performance was promising…
Perhaps we can now mount another walk-a-thon and Matt will redeem himself…
57, I love your optimism. I wish I had it.
“Twas time for Craig to open himself a can o’ Kick Ass!
A double will work.
Matt would do well to follow suit…
Winn did what Matt could not…
All it takes now, LaRue, is a measly single to tie it up!
Albert! Albert! Albert!
Do you put mcClane back out there now that we have a chanced?
That was exciting at any rate.
Our Boppers just can’t rise to the occasion…
Which will it be; a win for Franky or a loss for Jeff?
Just think; we could have had the services of Yadier to begin with…
Need a pinch runner but our emergency catcher is on the DL
So far this game I have called both Matt and Albert everything but a child of god. Clutchless chokemeisters.
A single, two walks and a sacrifice were far more than we could have expected from Brendan… Our B-Teamers have fought well (against overwhelming odds)…
During the first two-thirds of the game, when Matt was the lone Bopper, he miserably blew two golden opportunities. Then, very late (too late) in the game, Albert stepped-up and followed-suit…
Craig scraped-out what was left in his can o’ Kick Ass…
Shall Matt now (finally!) redeem himself with a walk-off?
Well I’ll be damned.
Thanks to Tony, the pitcher who should have won did not… No thanks to Tony, the game was won and we secured our second sweep of the season. Aye, two down and only eight to go!
I would imagine that Big Bad Broxton has about the same pathetic look on his face as when the Yankees destroyed him during the last Interleague game of the season…
Happy birthday for Allen Craig. No happy birthday for Joe Torre.
Yeah, Matt finally did what he is paid to do, but we can thank our B-Teamers for this one.
The thing I hate about FSM not covering is no post-game show.
I would imagine that Allen’s got himself a can o’ Kick Ass for every game that he plays. I am really, really impressed with the guy…
We’re ridin’ a 5 game winning streak! Now that we paid the Dodgers back for sweeping us, we’ve got a nasty pay-back waitin’ for the Fillies…
4 game hitting streak for Yadi. You know I have to rub it in.
Well, it certainly stings good and you can quit it some more!
Glorious ! ! First place, how sweet it is.
Yadi has been superb. Matt redeemed himself nicely. Jay and Craig seem to be clutch performers. Allen seems like a different guy from the one we saw. Brendan seems to be doing a Lazarus.
Good win for TLR today. Replaced Albert with Craig, who drives in 3. Suppan gives up only 1 run in 6 innings. Low average B. Ryan chipped in. Tony’s faith in players was rewarded.
I haven’t had this much fun since our walk-off win against the Dbacks.
Once again the starting pitching was adequate, as it has been all year both before and after the injuries. Almost all the losses have been due to either lack of clutch hitting, or much less often, due to the pen not performing.
Our pen is not bad compared to others, by any means. As to the offense in general, and clutch hitting in particular, only time will tell. Some cold guys are heating up. On the other hand, Albert is still not the Albert of prior to last August, Matt is still not the fearsome slugger in the cleanup spot, Luddy remains on the shelf, and Colby is all messed up. That is four key offensive weapons still not up to par. Fortunatly, others have stepped up, but that cannot be expected to continue.
Twas a good win and a nice sweep.
I hope it keeps up since I’ll be down there tomorrow. I see we have Salas again and no MacLane.
As I watch the enemy on ESPN tonight, the delightful thought occurs to me that we will not be facing Halladay. All their starters will be 4.40+ ERA, except for Hamels at the very end (3.78). It is also very encouraging to see what the Flubs have done to them after their sweep of the Reds. Like blingboy said, despite the fact that our three Boppers ain’t boppin’, everybody else is heating up and contributing. Indeed, we swept the Dodgers with superb pitching supported by a vigorous group of “B-Teamers”. I’ve never felt more optimistic about our guys…
Hawksworth (3-5) Kendrick (5-3)
Carpenter (10-3) Moyer (9-9)
Garcia (8-4) Blanton (3-5)
Wainwright (14-5) Hamels (7-7)
I had just been looking at the pitching too 57. I like it. Wonder how we will do against the ancient one.
Halladay isn’t pitching so well so far. Flubs are ahead already 4-0. To be fair, one of the runs was scored because of a bad throw by the catcher.
The scary thing is the Phillies lineup will awaken at some point, probably with a vengence. But even so, would be unlikely to rack up big numbers against Carp or Wainy. Could make things tough on Hawk and Jaime.
I was thinking the same thing… But then again, Philly’s offensive depth is no greater than the Dodgers. If tomorrow’s and Wednesday’s games become slugfests and our Boppers continue to be impotent, our guys have demonstrated that they are yet capable of racking up at least 5 runs. On the other hand, if our Boppers should awaken (also “with a vengeance”), the Fillies won’t have a prayer… I am beginning to believe that we really are the best in the National League and that we really can take it to the Yanks.
We didn’t do much against Kendrick and Hammels back in May.
We didn’t do much of anything against anybody back in May BB.
I hope the Phils play against us like they are playing against the Flubs.
Well that’s a good point crdswmn, we have been better lately and the Phills have been worse.
I had been thinking since Yadi perked up after we’d been ripping him, maybe we ought to get after Colby again. Maybe its like voodoo or something. I know he’s got a sore leg but he was K-ing alot before that. Once Luddy comes back Luddy and Colby are going to have to keep up with Jay and Craig. For that matter, Albert will need to do something besides plunk out singles. Craig can do that for a lot less money. Today’s game is a reminder what some clutch hitting in the three spot can mean, and the sad fact is we haven’t been getting it with any regularilty.
Also, nobody mentioned that Flip went Ofer 5. Its something to win when your leadoff man doesn’t get on at all.
BB- Somehow I don’t think RC would appreciate us sticking pins in Colby dolls.
Good work by everyone creating the environment for the sweep……….
Molina seems to have shaken of the All Star pressure……..that was expected……….. how did it feel to win without AP? I will review the games when I have a moment. I watched the Friday game on a 32sq food high definition projection system. I felt like I need a glove standing that close.
BB, Notice Tony didn’t move MH…………………. no dangerous precedents.
Matt and Albert have mostly been footnotes in the post break winning streak. That even with Matt driving in the winner today.
Craig wasn’t supposed to drive in three and look good in the field. Let us not hold our breath until his next start at first.
For the Philly series, I predict we will blow them out big once or twice, and Albert will fatten up with superfluous RBIs. Man, he really got his pants pulled down in front of everyone today.
I have not noticed RC getting all sideways over it in the past. I’m sure if it got mean spirited it would be different. It is, after all, not our fault when the youngster stinks up the joint.
“I have not noticed RC getting all sideways over it in the past”
I believe that Warrior is a fellow concerned Cardinal fan who happens to be the father of one of the players. He joined-in with our hammering of Yadier, only because he knew that we weren’t Yadier-haters. I strongly suspect that he would join-in with our hammering of Colby, only because he knows that we love the guy too. What would Warrior truly say of the “Strike Out King” of the Dodger series? Of our three Boppers, in the post-break climate, Colby has been contributing much less than Albert and Matt!
“Matt and Albert have mostly been footnotes in the post break winning streak”
Who would have ever thought that we would depend upon the offense of our small-ballers and the B-Team for an incredible four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers? Yesterday, with our Lead Off man going “Oh, for…!”, the accent was upon the B-Team (led by the birthday boy, Allen Craig).