In what has become the surprising trend early in the 2008 season, the Cardinals’ starting pitcher put together a solid outing and former pitcher Rick Ankiel was the offensive hero as the Cards pulled to two games over .500, a feat they were never able to reach last year.
Former relief pitcher Braden Looper put together the fourth consecutive quality start (not counting Opening Day starter Adam Wainwright’s solid but rain-shortened outing) as he gave up one run and three hits over six innings, striking out three and walking two to beat the Washington Nationals. After outfielder Brian Barton lead off the game with a double, Ankiel continued hit hot start to the 2008 season by taking the first pitch he saw from Odalis Perez deep to right field. The Nationals put a run on the board in the top of the 4th, but the St. Louis offense responded in the bottom of the frame, as Looper helped his own cause by sacrificing a run in with two runners on to make it 3-1. Aaron Miles followed that up with an RBI single and Yadier Molina added an insurance run in the 5th with an RBI single of his own. For the third game of the year, the St. Louis bullpen would bend but not break, allowing three runs to make it a one-run game, but could never pull even. Leading off in his first start of the season, Brian Barton went 2-4, while Cesar Izturis bounced back from a rough start, going 2-3 with a run scored. Ankiel was 1-4 with 2 RBI while Albert Pujols continued his strong start to the year, going 1-2 with 2 walks.
The Cards will try to continue their hot start this afternoon at 12:10 (Central time) sending staff ace Adam Wainwright to the hill against Nationals lefty Matt Chico.
