Oh my my, oh hell yes. The Cards escape today in fine fashion, scoring three in the ninth off Kerry Wood to return to 2 1/2 games out of the Central lead. Both starters were quite good today, although it must be said that Lilly was a touch better than Lohse for the bulk of the game. Both pitchers made few mistakes, occasionally got into trouble, and generally wriggled free.
Ryan Franklin’s command issues returned with a vengeance today, as he faced three hitters, allowed two runs and a walk, and threw five strikes, counting two frozen ropes. So, not a good outing for him. McClellan was able to work out of trouble, aided by Ryan Ludwick gunning down Jim Edmonds on one of the finer throws I’ve seen from right field in some time. Yadier blocked the plate, Jimmy was out, and the Cards remained in the game.
Carlos Marmol looked just fine – I honestly have no idea why this man has detractors in Chicago. Filthy stuff and he belongs in the starting rotation, either now or in the very near future. Kerry Wood – well, Kerry Wood. He’s got ridiculous stuff, high nineties fastball with movement and a terrific slider. His control issues did him in, however, as two walks and a double set up a situation where a third walk was issued intentionally. He was able to get Schumaker to ground into a fielder’s choice and forced Miles to pop up, but Ankiel hit a slider over the plate into center field for a two out single, Edmonds was unable to gun down Chris Duncan, and there’s your ballgame.
Folks, Rick Ankiel is becoming a prime time player, and it’s a joy to watch it happen. He’s still got an enormous hole in his swing (up and in, of course), and he can struggle with off speed stuff at times, but there’s no real ceiling on his abilities. A .350-.360 OBP and a .500-.550 SLG with terrific outfield defense are within reach, and that is one hell of a ballplayer. Ankiel’s aggressiveness can work against him, but he rarely misses an opportunity to hit his pitch, which helps him to avoid situations where pitchers can bury him inside. There are definitely hitters who would have taken that slider today, and that was likely to be the best pitch he saw. I’m all for selectivity at the plate, but the key thing is to remain selective while still hitting hitter’s pitchers – never swing at a pitch that the pitcher wants to make, unless it’s strike three.
The umpiring in this series has been atrocious. No clue where the bottom of the strike zone is – of course, Glaus was rung up on a pitch seven inches outside last night, which basically ended that game, and there was about a six inch area of no man’s land at the bottom of the zone today. Pitches at the shins called strikes, pitches at the top of the knees called balls…….If these strike zones were congressional districts, even the Texas Legislature would insist on reform.
Tomorrow, the Cards go for a series win – it’s Marshall and Wellemeyer tomorrow at 2:15. Plenty of time to catch the Wimbledon final and then root for a Cardinal win, which would bring them to within 1 1/2 heading to Philly. Need to get this one and preserve truth and justice, at least for one more St. Louis weekend.
