The Gas House Gang

Adam Wainwright showed why he is considered the current ace of the Cardinals’ staff and Ryan Ludwick continued to rake offensively as the Cards took the first game of their series against the LA Dodgers 2-1 last night.

Wainwright was stellar for the first time in a while, giving up only 1 run on 5 hits over 7 innings. Chris Perez earned his first career hold in relief and Ryan Franklin shut the door for his 3rd save of the year, despite a rain delay 1 out into the 9th inning. Offensively, it was the Ryan Ludwick show as the rightfielder secured 3 of St. Louis’s 6 team hits and his 2-run shot in the 3rd proved to be all the offense the team would need to beat Los Angeles starter Derek Lowe.

The Cards will try to put together a little more offense for starter Kyle Lohse (3-2, 4.71 ERA) tonight as they face Dodgers’ righty Brad Penny (5-4, 5.34 ERA) at 9:10pm (Central time).