Redbird Randoms … Lohse slated for rubber match; half-dozen hits for Schumaker

On-deck: The rubber match of the Cardinals’ three-game series with the New York Mets is on for today at 12:05 p.m. CDT.

Probables: STL-Kyle Lohse RHP (12-2, 3.35) vs. NYM-Johan Santana (8-7, 3.05)

photo by Iscan

Probables players: It is likely you will see all reserves, although there aren’t many, due to the lengthy game last night into this morning. Look to see a start for Brendan Ryan, Jason LaRue, and Joe Mather. There is the possibility La Russa will call for a minor leaguer once more, probably sending down Kelvin Jimenez since he threw two innings, but instead of a position player, more likely, another fresh will be called. Of course, there might be no move made at all.

Bird’s Perch: The Cards remain in third place, but pick up one game on the league-leading Cubs, who are now tied for first with the Brewers.

Another Shea fall: Another fan has fallen off an escalator at Shea Stadium, this time during the Cards/Mets game last night. The fan was a St. Louis Cardinals fan according to reports in the New York Daily News.

Jason Larson, a 26 year old from St. Louis, reportedly was trying to slide down the bannister of the escalator. Larson was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in serious condition.

The fall was approximately two stories.

Whatcha done for me lately? There was a lot done lately, in the span of 14 innings starting last night and ending in the wee hours this morning. Here are some notables.

• The game seen a total of 18 runs on 37 hits, no errors.
• Sixteen pitchers threw, eight from each team.
• Skip Schumaker went 6-for-7, scoring three of the Cards’ runs and seeing his batting average rise to .302 due to the bevy of hits.
• Albert Pujols went 5-for-8 with three RBIs and the game-winning hit, a home run.
• The Mets tallied four home runs in their loss, all of them solo shots.
• Mets’ pitchers walked five and struck out 12.
• Cards’ pitchers walked nine and struck out nine.
• Mets’ pitchers threw a combined 256 pitches.
• Cards’ pitchers threw a combined 261 pitches.
• The Mets used all their relief pitchers.
• The Cards had only one pitcher remaining in the bullpen: Randy Flores.

 

photo by Iscan