Wain-O Back in Form; Cardinals Within 1 Game of the Pirates

Wain-O deals.

Adam Wainwright hadn’t gotten a W in a month. His last start against Pittsburgh was way off-form; he labored through 7 innings, throwing 122 pitches and allowing 5 hits – 2 of them home runs – and 3 runs. Today, he was the Adam Wainwright of old. Seven innings, 5 hits, 1 run, and 11 Ks. That’s a lot more like it.

John Jay doubled and homered, driving in 4 of the Cardinals’ 6 runs.

The bullpen closed it out, but not before Trevor Rosenthal, who I’ve taken to calling the Human Gas Can, put runners on second and third and needed 11 pitches to get the last out. Pittsburgh fell again to Arizona, leaving just one game between them and the Redbirds now.

On to Milwaukee, then home for 4 against Atlanta, and then Pittsburgh and Cinncinati back-to-back-to-back-to-back for the next two weeks. That will be for all the marbles. Hopefully, we have a little momentum started.

Later,

Redbirds about to be tested

After stumbling in June, they went 7-3 in their last 10 games leading up to the All-Star break. They’re 4-1 since, and there’s a chance to sweep the Phils tonight, although Lance (One Bad Inning) Lynn is on the hill, so we’ll see. The pitching staff (again, let’s see how Lynn fares tonight) has, at least for the moment, regained its form. Offense has revived, as well, and Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz has an appreciative analysis of how good the offense has been with runners in scoring position, and how they haven’t had to rely on home runs (yay!) to win. He also mentions an amazing stat for the pitching staff – they’ve allowed only .64 homers to the opposition per game so far. Only one team in the last 20 seasons – the 2011 Giants – has a better record.

So, there are reasons to be optimistic. On the other side, Carlos Beltran is slumping; Matt Holliday’s hurt; John Jay still has to produce; and people – especially Yadi – need to keep healthy. Lots of “ifs,” but encouraging signs abound.

Which is good; because we’re about to get the real test over the next 15 games. After tonight, the team goes to Atlanta, who leads the NL East, even if they’re in a bit of a slump right now. Then five BIG games against the Pirates, followed by three against the Reds and four (at home) against the white-hot Dodgers, who’ve just won 6 in a row.

Later,

Opening Day (okay, Night)

Kyle Lohse delivers (AP)

Cardinals 4, Marlins 1. Life is good.

Kyle Lohse, inheriting the first starting assignment from the injured Chris Carpenter, was masterful, retiring his first 10 in a row, taking a no-hitter into the 7th, and allowing only 2 hits before turning the game over to the bullpen. Jason Motte came out smokin’ and shut the door in the 9th.

Leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal went 3 for 5 with an RBI. 2011 post-season hero David Freese was also 3 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored. Yadier Molina, who led the team in batting average last year, was 2 for 4, and Carlos Beltran went 2 for 5 with a run scored. Only Matt Holliday had a bad night, 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

Rookie manager Mike Matheny, a fave back when he was the Cardinal catcher, notched his first career win. May there be 1,000 more.

Later,